NEW YORK, NY May 15, 2007 —In an attempt to persuade Albany to support his broad plan to reduce air pollution and traffic congestion in New York City, Mayor Bloomberg yesterday pitched the plan as a model for the world.

REPORTER: The Republican mayor's PlanNYC 2030 includes improving mass transit and reducing traffic by charging drivers to enter parts of Manhattan during peak hours. His goal is to reduce New York City's emissions by 30% by 2030, when another million people may live here. But Bloomberg told state lawmakers that his plan could reach far beyond New York.

BLOOMBERG: If we do it as a demonstration plan, they believe it will set the tone for the whole country. So we have the unique opportunity to really get a partnership between the federal government, the state government and the city government and the advocates and the private sector.

REPORTER: Not all legislators in Albany are on board - their main concern is the congestion pricing element, which would charge commuters in the city for driving into the most congested parts of Manhattan, creating an incentive to reduce traffic and pollution. That would have to be approved by Assembly Democrats representing outer boroughs and the Republican-led Senate, where Long Island and suburban Republicans would be voting for an added cost for constituents.