Hawaii Must Counter Federal Rollback of EPA Emissions Rules

State and local leaders vow to hold federal agencies accountable to science-backed environmental protections.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The Trump administration's decision to revoke the EPA's 'endangerment finding' - the legal basis for limits on greenhouse gas emissions - has alarmed Hawaii officials who are vowing to take action to counter the rollback and protect the state's air quality and climate. State leaders are considering their own emissions standards, incentives for electric vehicles, and other measures to reduce pollution and transition away from fossil fuels.

Why it matters

The revocation of the EPA's endangerment finding removes the scientific and legal foundation for federal regulations on greenhouse gas emissions, exposing Hawaii residents to increased health risks from air pollution and the damaging effects of global warming, including rising seas and more extreme weather events.

The details

The Trump administration's decision to revoke the EPA's 2009 'endangerment finding' - which established the scientific basis for regulating greenhouse gas emissions - was made with the aim of allowing polluters to reverse clean air gains and raise emissions levels. This move starts a framework to prevent court challenges seeking to bar federal greenhouse gas regulations and weaken the EPA.

  • In 2023, a devastating wildfire burned through Lahaina, Hawaii, underscoring the impacts of global warming.
  • In 2022, the EPA reported that the transportation sector produced just over 28% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

The players

Hawaii Attorney General

Hawaii's attorney general has vowed to hold federal agencies accountable to the law and science supporting the EPA's endangerment finding.

California

California has led the way on emissions standards and the transition to electric vehicles, and Hawaii is looking to follow the state's example.

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What’s next

Hawaii is considering its own greenhouse gas emissions standards and incentives to encourage the use of electric vehicles, following California's lead.

The takeaway

With the federal government rolling back environmental protections, Hawaii must take decisive action to counter the rollback of the EPA's endangerment finding and protect the state's air quality, public health, and climate resilience.