TIMELINE OF QDC ACTIONS RE:  QSS SEWAGE SLUDGE PLANT

 

Here is the documented timeline surrounding the proposed QSS Biosolids sewage-sludge pyrolysis facility at Quonset:

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🔵 NOV. 19, 2024 — QDC PUBLIC MEETING

The QDC Board considered and voted on “Approval of Ground Lease to Global Soil Solutions, LLC” in public session.

The official public agenda specifically directed Board members and the public to “See Tab 13.”

📄 Sources: Official QDC public agenda and meeting minutes.

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🔴 NOV. 19, 2024 — TAB 13 of the Board Exhibits 

Tab 13 was the supporting document for the ground-lease proposal. It contained information describing wastewater biosolids and the proposed pyrolysis process.

The Board voted 5–3 on the proposal.

📄 Sources: QDC Tab 13 — Request for Board Authorization.

➡️ Therefore, the nature of the proposed biosolids/pyrolysis operation was contained in the materials associated with the Board's public session consideration of the project.

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🔵 MARCH 6, 2025 — EPA PROCESS

QSS submitted a formal request to EPA for a regulatory applicability determination concerning the proposed QSS Biosolids facility.  The QSS environmental permit application is public record with the exception of legitimately confidential business information such as trade secrets, attorney-client privilege or security risks.

📄 Sources: QSS letter to EPA, now available through RIDEM.

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🔴 APRIL 25, 2025 — RIDEM AIR APPLICATION

QSS filed its Minor Source Air Permit Application with RIDEM for the facility at 135 All American Way.

The detailed application concerned a pyrolysis facility processing sewage sludge/biosolids.  The QSS environmental permit application is a public record, and the resulting RIDEM permit approvals are publicly available agency records with the exception of legitimately confidential business information such as trade secrets, attorney-client privilege or security risks.

📄 Sources: Official RIDEM QSS air-permit file.

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🔵 MAY 13, 2025 — EPA RESPONDS

EPA issued its applicability determination concerning the QSS facility.  The QSS environmental permit approval is a publicly available agency record.

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🔵 JAN. 16, 2026 — RIDEM TECHNICAL REVIEW

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RIDEM completed its technical review of the QSS air-permit application.  The QSS environmental permit application is a public record (with the exception of legitimately confidential business information such as trade secrets, attorney-client privilege or security risks) and the resulting RIDEM permit approvals are publicly available agency records.

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🔴 JAN. 23, 2026 — AIR PERMITS APPROVED

RIDEM issued Air Pollution Control Permit Approvals 2652–2662 for QSS Biosolids.  The QSS environmental permit is publicly available agency record.

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🚨 MARCH 2026 — THE COMMUNITY FINALLY LEARNS ABOUT THE PROJECT

The proposed sewage-sludge pyrolysis facility became broadly known to North Kingstown residents approximately 16 months after the QDC Board's November 2024 public vote and after the project had already gone through extensive environmental review.  It was discovered by a Davisville resident who was looking into the Bitumar Asphalt Transfer and Terminal Facility.

issue.