President Biden’s failure to declare an official national emergency on climate change to unlock a variety of additional executive powers has frustrated environmentalists and green advocates in his own party.
In the face of congressional gridlock and a recent Supreme Court setback, congressional Democrats and environmental activists want Mr. Biden to exert his maximum authority it comes to tackling climate change.
His announcement on Wednesday fell far short of declaring an emergency, featuring relatively minor steps on climate change that were extensions of previous actions. His three-pronged plan included expanding offshore wind energy, aid to low-income families for energy costs and help for communities to prepare against natural disasters.