ALBANY — New York gets a D-plus grade for its regulation of industries that affect air and water quality, job growth and other essentials, according to a report by a think tank.

“It’s not a problem of too much regulation,” said Richard Revesz, faculty director of the Institute for Policy Integrity, which conducted the study. “It’s a question of crafting the right kind of regulation.”

New York’s D-plus grade puts it in the middle of all the states, none of which received an A grade.

The study found nearly 20 percent of the American economy is directly regulated by the states.

“This kind of bargain-basement approach is like buying the cheapest possible car without regard to how well it runs,” said Jason Schwartz, author of the study, which advises New York to more fully evaluate projects based on economic benefit.