Federal officials approve New York congestion pricing plan 

Federal officials have approved a plan that would allow New York City to implement a $9 toll on cars that are driving into Manhattan as part of an effort to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. 

The city originally planned to charge $15, but axed those plans earlier this year. New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) recently announced that it would instead impose a $9 fee. 

In a letter to the city this week, the U.S. Department of Transportation said that the new plan did not require further federal analysis — clearing a significant hurdle to making the plan reality in January. 

“Today is the moment we’ve been waiting for — when we cleared the final bureaucratic hurdle to implement congestion pricing,” said Janno Lieber, chair and CEO of New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

“I’m proud that we’re standing here at a moment when we’re talking about delivering better transit for more people, safer streets and cleaner air for all, along with reduced congestion,” he said during a press conference in Grand Central Terminal on Friday. 

In addition to benefits related to traffic and pollution, climate advocates have also hailed the plan as a win for the fight against climate change. 

The revival was announced mere days after President-elect Trump’s victory, which gave rise to expectations that states, rather than the federal government, are likely to take the lead on climate action in the years ahead. 

Trump himself opposes the congestion pricing plan and the Biden administration’s swift move to approve it could prevent Trump from blocking it.

However, there is still a chance the plan could be blocked in court — with a judge slated to hear from the plan’s supporters and opponents in December.