Bill Sponsors
Valverde, DiMario, and Euer
Committee
Senate Commerce
Summary
Select
This bill temporarily prevents the Quonset Development Corporation from allowing any new "thermal waste conversion facilities" to be built or operated within the Quonset Point/Davisville Industrial Park. These are facilities that use high heat to turn trash, plastics, or sewage sludge into fuel, energy, or chemicals. The ban applies to all property managed by the corporation but does not affect any facilities that were already operating before the bill's passage. The restriction is temporary and will expire on February 1, 2027.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Prevents the construction of new waste-burning facilities, which can reduce local air pollution and protect the respiratory health of nearby communities.
- Blocks the expansion of fossil-fuel-like energy production from plastics and waste, encouraging a shift toward cleaner, truly renewable energy sources.
- Protects local ecosystems and water quality around the Quonset Point area from potential chemical runoff or emissions associated with thermal waste conversion.
Cons for Progressives
- The ban is only temporary and expires in early 2027, failing to provide long-term environmental and community protection against these facilities.
- Contains a grandfather clause that allows any existing thermal waste conversion facilities to continue operating and polluting the surrounding area.
- Only applies to the Quonset Point/Davisville Industrial Park, leaving other lower-income or marginalized communities in the state vulnerable to these facilities being built there instead.
Pros for Conservatives
- Protects the property rights and operational freedom of existing businesses by including a grandfather clause that explicitly exempts them from the new restrictions.
- Includes a strict sunset provision (expiring in 2027), ensuring this government regulation is temporary and will not permanently restrict corporate development.
- By restricting waste-to-energy plants, it may preserve the commercial appeal and property values of the industrial park for other, more traditional corporate investments and developments.
Cons for Conservatives
- Infringes on corporate freedom and free market principles by allowing the government to dictate what types of legal industrial facilities can operate in the business park.
- Limits economic development and potential job creation by banning a specific sector of the energy and waste management industry from expanding in the area.
- Creates regulatory uncertainty for the energy and manufacturing sectors by imposing arbitrary, short-term prohibitions on specific industrial processes.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Quonset Development Corporation
- Waste management companies
- Energy production companies
- Industrial park tenants
- North Kingstown residents
Towns Affected
North Kingstown
Cost to Taxpayers
None
Revenue Generated
None
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 04/20/2026 Introduced, referred to Senate Commerce
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Chapter 42-64.10 of the General Laws entitled "Quonset Development Corporation" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
42-64.10-16. Prohibition on thermal waste conversion facilities.
(a) Notwithstanding any general or special law, rule, regulation, or authority to the contrary, the Quonset development corporation shall not authorize, permit, lease, approve, or otherwise allow the siting, operation or construction of any thermal waste conversion facility, or similar chemical or thermal processes designed to convert solid waste, plastics, biomass, or other feedstock into fuels, energy, or chemical products, within the boundaries of the Quonset Point/Davisville Industrial Park.
(b) For the purpose of this section, “thermal waste conversion facility” means any facility utilizing elevated temperatures in a controlled or oxygen-limited environment to chemically decompose or transform solid waste or sewage sludge materials into gaseous, liquid, or solid products intended for energy generation, fuel production, or industrial use.
(c) The provisions of this section shall apply to all real property owned, managed, leased, or otherwise under the jurisdiction of the Quonset development corporation.
(d) Nothing contained herein shall be construed to impair the right of any individual or entity who lawfully engaged in any activity provided in subsection (a) of this section prior to the effective date of this section.
(e) This section shall expire and have no force or effect as of February 1, 2027.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
42-64.10-16. Prohibition on thermal waste conversion facilities.
(a) Notwithstanding any general or special law, rule, regulation, or authority to the contrary, the Quonset development corporation shall not authorize, permit, lease, approve, or otherwise allow the siting, operation or construction of any thermal waste conversion facility, or similar chemical or thermal processes designed to convert solid waste, plastics, biomass, or other feedstock into fuels, energy, or chemical products, within the boundaries of the Quonset Point/Davisville Industrial Park.
(b) For the purpose of this section, “thermal waste conversion facility” means any facility utilizing elevated temperatures in a controlled or oxygen-limited environment to chemically decompose or transform solid waste or sewage sludge materials into gaseous, liquid, or solid products intended for energy generation, fuel production, or industrial use.
(c) The provisions of this section shall apply to all real property owned, managed, leased, or otherwise under the jurisdiction of the Quonset development corporation.
(d) Nothing contained herein shall be construed to impair the right of any individual or entity who lawfully engaged in any activity provided in subsection (a) of this section prior to the effective date of this section.
(e) This section shall expire and have no force or effect as of February 1, 2027.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.