PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank received national recognition for its role in establishing equipment at T.F. Green Airport designed to prevent the runoff of harmful pollutants.
The quasi-public financier, along with R.I. Airport Corp. and R.I. Department of Environmental Management, was awarded the 2017 Pisces Award by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency.
RIIB provided a $33 million loan for the RIAC Glycol Recovery System, a completed facility that captures contamination from plane de-icing chemicals.
The recovery system prevents harmful material from entering Warwick Pond and Buckeye Brook, which serve as spawning grounds for fish and wildlife.
The equipment replaces an older system that captured only 20-30 percent of the polluting chemicals.
The recognition is given to “exceptional projects funded through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.”
The EPA hands out five Pisces awards each year.
Eli Sherman is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Sherman@PBN.com, or follow him on Twitter @Eli_Sherman.
