As this column has previously discussed, President Joe Biden’s environmental policies are a sharp reversal of those of former President Donald Trump. Today’s column spotlights how this change will affect New York state and New York City.

Air Pollution

The New York Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) requires steep declines in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, leading to an 85% reduction below 1990 levels by 2050. Transportation is the largest source of GHG emissions in the state, and achieving the CLCPA limits requires motor vehicles to have much lower emissions. Under the federal Clean Air Act and Energy Policy and Conservation Act, the federal government has sole authority to set air pollution and fuel economy standards for motor vehicles. The only exception is that California may set tighter standards if the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants a waiver. If that happens, other states may adopt the California standards. For many years EPA has been granting waivers to California, and New York has been using the California standards.