The decision, to take effect by 2035, will very likely speed a wider transition to electric vehicles because many other states follow California’s standards.
Senator Joe Manchin III of West Virginia led his party and his president through months of tortured talks, with nothing to show for it as the planet dangerously heats up.
Some Democrats want to forge ahead with a stand-alone climate bill, but their solution could mean abandoning other parts of President Biden’s agenda.
A bipartisan package includes the largest-ever federal spending for electric vehicle charging stations, public transit and clean water.
Democrats hope to include climate and clean energy in a second bill. It could be Biden’s last chance to pass major global warming legislation.