Good questions! I wish I knew the area.
I was also wondering about proximity to airport. What can you see from the lighthouse (power plant, I think)....what else?
I just found out the lighthouse is owned by Exxon/Mobil.
I just did a search of the Providence newspapers and tv stations and couldn't find a thing about this, other than the article you posted. Seems curious enough that there would be something. Are you in the area? Keep us posted, especially if they every explain the "language problem".
"Lighthouse owned by Exon"
Is there a pipeline in the area? Or refinery?