More than a year after President Donald Trump vowed to withdraw the US from the Paris agreement on climate change, one of America’s busiest transportation systems may sign on.
Following more than a dozen states which have said they will take their own steps to curb the release of greenhouse gases despite the federal government’s stance, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s board on Thursday will consider cutting emissions 35 percent below 2006 pollution levels over the next eight years. By 2050, emissions should fall 80 percent below that level. New York and New Jersey are both among states that support the international targets.
"The states of New York and New Jersey have taken a leadership role in stepping up to embrace the Paris accord, given the fact that the United States has withdrawn," said Rick Cotton, executive director of the Port Authority in an interview. "The Port Authority ought to join with the two states in embracing the Paris Accord and doing what we can do to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions."
The Port Authority, one of the nation’s largest transportation agencies, operates New York City’s airports, shipping terminals, bridges, tunnels and the city’s bus terminal.(Bloomberg)