NEW YORK, NY - The following statement can be attributed to Moses Gates, Vice President for Housing & Neighborhood Planning, Regional Plan Association.

“Closing the Rikers Island complex has always been both an opportunity and an obligation. It’s an opportunity to reimagine land in the middle of New York City, and an obligation to repay the communities most harmed on that land. The Renewable Rikers legislation means New York City can build new energy and waste facilities on Rikers Island. This will reduce the amount of plants and pollution along the East River, improve health in those communities and set the stage for green uses along the waterfront. Regional Plan Association applauds the environmental justice and criminal justice advocates who made today possible, and thanks New York City Councilman Costa Constantinides for sponsoring the bills.”