Save The Bay calls for stronger testing and monitoring of pollutant discharges at Quonset Point
Save The Bay recently sent a letter to RI DEM Director Terry Gray regarding Revolution Wind’s shore-based transmission cable project at Quonset Point and pollutant discharges that exceeded permitted levels. These pollution discharges pose a threat to the health of Narragansett Bay, the people who rely upon it and the ecosystem it supports.
Save The Bay staff spoke at length with staff from RI DEM who were aware of the exceedances and explained that steps have already been taken to improve Revolution Wind’s on-site water treatment processes. It is our understanding that the permit exceedances for zinc, arsenic and phenols were related to excavation and construction activities on land to connect Revolution Wind’s export cable to the substation at Quonset Point, and the result of disturbing previously-contaminated sediments at the site. Save The Bay will continue to monitor the work to ensure that any discharges to the Bay are in compliance with state and federal laws intended to protect water quality and the environment.