Hawaii Leaders Condemn EPA Rollback of Greenhouse Gas Regulations

State and local officials vow to continue climate action despite federal deregulation

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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State and local environmental leaders in Hawaii have strongly condemned President Donald Trump's move to rescind the EPA's 'endangerment finding' that determined carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health and welfare. Hawaii lawmakers, agencies, and advocates say the decision will have 'devastating' effects and undermine the state's efforts to combat climate change and transition to clean energy.

Why it matters

The rescinding of the endangerment finding effectively deregulates greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and vehicles, which Hawaii officials warn will lead to dirtier air, more climate-related disasters, and increased health risks - especially for vulnerable populations. This federal action conflicts with Hawaii's own laws and goals to reduce emissions and transition to 100% renewable energy by 2045.

The details

Trump claimed the decision would make the cost of living more affordable, but Hawaii leaders strongly disagreed, saying it will instead 'prop up yesterday's energy' like coal and lock the country into outdated, expensive fossil fuels. The state Energy Office called it 'one of the largest environmental rollbacks in U.S. history.' Hawaii officials vowed to continue enforcing the state's own emissions regulations and climate policies, and to hold federal agencies accountable through ongoing litigation.

  • On February 15, 2026, President Donald Trump rescinded the EPA's 'endangerment finding' that had regulated greenhouse gas emissions.

The players

Jill Tokuda

Democratic U.S. Representative for Hawaii.

Brian Schatz

Democratic U.S. Senator for Hawaii.

Mark Glick

Chief Energy Officer of the Hawaii State Energy Office.

Anne Lopez

Hawaii Attorney General.

Nicole Lowen

Democratic State Representative and Chair of the House committee on Energy and Environmental Protection.

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What they’re saying

“Repealing the language doesn't get rid of the danger. He's claiming affordability at the cost of our grandchildren's lives.”

— Jill Tokuda, Democratic U.S. Representative (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

“These moves lock us into outdated, expensive fossil fuels like coal instead of the clean energy sources that are already the cheapest and fastest to build. You don't get lower bills by propping up yesterday's energy. Trump's decision to roll back these protections will also mean dirtier air, leading to more illnesses and preventable deaths. This isn't about affordability; it's about protecting polluters while putting people's lives at risk.”

— Brian Schatz, Democratic U.S. Senator (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

“Hawai'i's energy policy is guided by clear priorities: lowering costs for families, reducing carbon emissions, strengthening grid reliability, and accelerating our transition to 100% clean, renewable energy.”

— Mark Glick, Chief Energy Officer, Hawaii State Energy Office (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

“It seems that Trump is more interested in fighting culture wars and enriching himself than protecting people's health, the environment, and creating a stable, predictable regulatory environment in which businesses can thrive. This is a wrong-headed and ill-informed move; par for the course.”

— Nicole Lowen, Democratic State Representative and Chair of the House committee on Energy and Environmental Protection (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

“Malama honua isn't just a slogan. It's who we are.”

— Mike Gabbard, Democratic State Senator and Chair of the Agriculture and Environment Committee (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

What’s next

Hawaii officials vowed to continue enforcing the state's own emissions regulations and climate policies, and to hold federal agencies accountable through ongoing litigation.

The takeaway

Despite the federal rollback, Hawaii remains committed to addressing climate change and transitioning to clean energy, recognizing that the state's own laws and priorities take precedence over the Trump administration's deregulatory agenda. Hawaii leaders are determined to protect public health, the environment, and the state's economic and climate resilience.