Hawaii Leaders Condemn EPA Rollback of Greenhouse Gas Regulations

State and local officials say Trump's move to rescind 'endangerment finding' will have devastating effects on public health and the environment.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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State and local environmental leaders in Hawaii have strongly condemned President Donald Trump's decision to rescind the EPA's 'endangerment finding' that determined carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health and welfare. The move effectively deregulates greenhouse gas emissions, which Hawaii officials say will have devastating effects on the state's efforts to combat climate change and protect public health.

Why it matters

Hawaii has been at the forefront of efforts to combat climate change and transition to renewable energy. The rollback of the EPA's greenhouse gas regulations undermines these efforts and puts the state's residents, environment, and economy at risk from the impacts of unchecked climate change.

The details

Trump claimed the decision to rescind the endangerment finding would make the cost of living more affordable, but Hawaii lawmakers, agencies, and environmental leaders strongly disagreed. They argued the deregulation of greenhouse gas emissions could have 'devastating' effects that will only be fully understood decades in the future, and that it will lead to dirtier air, more illnesses, and preventable deaths. The state's Energy Office called it 'one of the largest environmental rollbacks in U.S. history.'

  • On February 19, 2026, President Donald Trump rescinded the EPA's 'endangerment finding' that determined carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health and welfare.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who rescinded the EPA's 'endangerment finding' on greenhouse gas emissions.

Jill Tokuda

Democratic U.S. Representative for Hawaii who condemned Trump's decision, saying it could have 'devastating' effects and that he is 'claiming affordability at the cost of our grandchildren's lives.'

Brian Schatz

Democratic U.S. Senator for Hawaii who said Trump's decision will not stop energy costs from rising and will mean 'dirtier air, leading to more illnesses and preventable deaths.'

Mark Glick

Chief Energy Officer of the Hawaii State Energy Office, who said the decision erased a foundational piece of the country's efforts to address climate change and is in 'stark opposition' to Hawaii's efforts to combat climate change and transition to clean energy.

Anne Lopez

Hawaii Attorney General who said the decision 'jeopardizes the air we breathe, the health of our communities, and the safety of future generations.'

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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)

“We remain committed to using every legal tool available to protect our communities and environment.”

— Anne Lopez, Hawaii Attorney General (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, Chair, House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

What’s next

Hawaii officials have vowed to continue fighting the EPA rollback through legal action and by upholding the state's own climate and environmental regulations.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's decision to rescind the EPA's 'endangerment finding' on greenhouse gas emissions is a major setback in the fight against climate change, but Hawaii leaders have made clear they will not back down in their efforts to protect the state's environment and public health. This highlights the ongoing tensions between federal and state-level climate policies, and the critical role that state and local governments play in driving progress on this issue.