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SB 3224

AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- QUONSET DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Alana DiMario and 2 co-sponsors

Prohibits the Quonset Development Corporation from siting or operating any thermal waste conversion facilities in the Quonset Point/Davisville Industrial Park, through Feb 1, 2027.

06/22/2026 Signed by Governor
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Bill Summary · SB 3224

Summary of Bill: SB 3224 (2026) – Rhode Island

Title

AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT — QUONSET DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Purpose and Intent

  • Prohibits the Quonset Development Corporation (QDC) from authorizing or enabling thermal waste conversion facilities or similar processes within the Quonset Point/Davisville Industrial Park.
  • The aim is to restrict the siting, operation, or construction of facilities that convert solid waste, plastics, biomass, or related feedstocks into fuels, energy, or chemical products using high-temperature, controlled- or oxygen-limited processes (e.g., pyrolysis).

Key Provisions

  1. Prohibition Scope (42-64.10-16)

    • The QDC shall not authorize, permit, lease, approve, or otherwise allow siting, operation, or construction of any thermal waste conversion facility within the Quonset Point/Davisville Industrial Park.
    • Applies to facilities that convert solid waste or sewage sludge into gaseous, liquid, or solid products for energy, fuel, or industrial use.

  2. Definition

    • A “thermal waste conversion facility” is defined as any facility using elevated temperatures in a controlled or oxygen-limited environment to decompose or transform feedstocks into products intended for energy generation, fuel production, or industrial use.

  3. Jurisdiction and Property

    • The prohibition covers all real property owned, managed, leased, or otherwise under the jurisdiction of the Quonset Development Corporation.

  4. Protected Pre-Existing Activity

    • The section does not impair the rights of individuals or entities that lawfully engaged in activities prohibited by subsection (a) prior to the effective date.

  5. Sunset Clause

    • The prohibition expires and has no force as of February 1, 2027, unless otherwise extended by future legislation.

  6. Effective Date

    • The act takes effect upon passage.

Effective Date and Timeline

  • Effective Date: Upon passage of the act.
  • Sunset/Expiration: February 1, 2027, at which point the prohibition expires unless reauthorized or amended.

Affected Parties and Impact

  • Primary Entity Affected: Quonset Development Corporation (QDC) and properties within the Quonset Point/Davisville Industrial Park.
  • Other Impacts: Prohibits new thermal waste conversion facilities within the specified area; does not retroactively bar existing lawful activities undertaken before the effective date.
  • Industry Impacts: Signals Rhode Island policy preference to limit waste-to-energy or related thermal conversion processes in this industrial park for a defined period.

Procedural and Legislative Details

  • Introduced By: Senators Valverde, DiMario, and Euer
  • Co-Sponsors: Bridget Valverde, Alana DiMario, Dawn Euer
  • Committee: Senate Commerce
  • Legislative History: Introduced April 20, 2026; scheduled for hearing/consideration May 5, 2026.

Summary Assessment

  • This bill creates a targeted prohibition on the siting and operation of thermal waste conversion facilities within the Quonset Point/Davisville Industrial Park, using a precise statutory definition of thermal conversion.
  • It places a time-limited constraint (expires Feb 1, 2027) to permit potential future reconsideration or replacement with updated policy.
  • The measure is narrowly scoped to the Quonset development area and does not affect other parts of the state or other approaches to waste management outside the defined zone.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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