Renewable Rikers Feasibility Study Report

The New York City Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice commissioned the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to prepare a feasibility analysis of siting several renewable energy technologies on Rikers Island to fulfill its obligations under Local Law 17 of 2021. This report summarizes the key findings to inform decisions about future redevelopment of Rikers Island by presenting five different potential renewable energy and battery storage redevelopment scenarios, considering cost savings, resilience, and greenhouse gas emissions reductions, in the context of the city’s environmental justice and energy performance mandates and goals, and recommends further planning to advance the development of wastewater and energy infrastructure on Rikers Island to further inform the City’s forthcoming decision on how to repurpose Rikers Island.