“This action is unlawful, ignores basic science, and denies reality. We know greenhouse gases cause climate change and endanger our communities and our health — and we will not stop fighting to protect the American people from pollution.”
EPA’s action rescinds the agency’s 2009 finding that greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide and methane, pose a threat to public health and welfare in addition to eliminating all federal protections against greenhouse gas pollution from cars and trucks. The Endangerment Finding is based on decades of research and thousands of peer-reviewed publications.
Here’s what leaders from Alliance states are saying:
What Our Members Are Saying
California Governor Gavin Newsom
“This decision betrays the American people and cements the Republican Party’s status as the pro-pollution party. If this reckless decision survives legal challenges, it will lead to more deadly wildfires, more extreme heat deaths, more climate-driven floods and droughts, and greater threats to communities nationwide—all while the EPA dismisses the overwhelming science that has protected public health for decades.
“Donald Trump may put corporate greed ahead of communities and families, but California will not stand by—we will sue to challenge this illegal action, and we will continue fighting climate pollution here in our state. We will continue to lead because the lives and livelihoods of our people depend on it.”
Read more via the Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Donald Trump's administration is falsely claiming that greenhouse gases are not a threat to public health — breaking the law to once again grovel to the oil industry. California will fight this lawless action in court.
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@governor.ca.gov) February 12, 2026 at 1:56 PM
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California Air Resources Board (CARB) Chair Lauren Sanchez
“This proposal isn’t just bad policy — it’s a reckless disregard of basic science and the health of every American. When an administration sides with polluters over people, it doesn’t just abandon commonsense climate action; it abandons our country’s future. But let me be clear: California will not back down. We will continue to stand up for the right to breathe clean air and keep driving forward in every way possible. All options are on the table.”
Read more via the Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom.
California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) Secretary Yana Garcia
“Trump’s U.S. EPA is ignoring what Americans see with their own eyes: climate pollution is burning homes, killing jobs and forests, driving up insurance and food costs, and harming health across the nation. CalEPA will use every authority available to protect clean air, healthy land, and clean water while the federal government turns its back on the health and safety of the American people.”
Read more via the Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Scientific fact: heat-trapping gasses lead to smog, higher asthma rates & more ER visits. Today’s decision is further evidence that Trump’s EPA could care less about protecting Americans. Despite the turmoil in D.C., CA will keep pushing climate action forward with steady hands. https://t.co/aAPmkVqDpL
— Secretary Yana Garcia (@CalEPASecretary) February 12, 2026
California Natural Resources Agency
“California will continue to stand on the side of science.”
Read more via @CalNatResources on Twitter.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis
“Protecting people’s health and making our air cleaner should never be a partisan issue. The science is clear that pollution from cars and trucks harms our air quality and puts families – especially kids, seniors, and those with health conditions – at greater risk. Rolling back long-standing protections creates uncertainty for consumers and businesses at a time when we should be investing in cleaner air, innovation, and energy diversity. These investments aren’t just the right thing for our climate, it’s good business. Clear, science-based standards give companies the certainty they need to invest and create jobs. Colorado will continue to stand behind science and protect the health and well-being of Coloradans.”
Read more via the Office of Colorado Jared Polis.
Colorado Energy Office (CEO) Executive Director Will Toor
“This decision, which is not based on established science, will make life for Coloradans worse. It will force our state to rely more on expensive, pollution-causing fossil fuel energy – which will damage our air quality and increase energy bills. It will also hamstring Coloradans’ increasing desire to get into easy-to-drive electric vehicles that are less expensive than gas-powered cars in the long run. The bottom line is this repeal will increase pollution and increase costs for Coloradans.”
Read more via the Office of Colorado Jared Polis.
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Executive Director Jill Hunsaker Ryan
“Vehicle exhaust is one of the largest contributors to climate and air quality challenges in Colorado, and the progress we’ve made has been driven by science, innovation, and a commitment to protecting people’s health. While we review the federal action, Colorado remains focused on providing consumers with cleaner choices, supporting emerging technologies, and advancing solutions that lead to healthier air for communities across our state.”
Read more via the Office of Colorado Jared Polis.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont
“With today’s decision, the Trump administration has made it clear they do not care about the impacts greenhouse gas emissions have on the health of our communities, especially our children, seniors, and vulnerable populations. This is settled science. Connecticut has a proud, bipartisan history of standing up for environmental safeguards, and we will fight this decision, just like we have done every time this administration has threatened the health and prosperity of the people of Connecticut. Connecticut residents deserve clean air to breathe, and safe communities in which to live and raise a family.”
Read more via the Office of Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont.
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Katie Dykes
“The evidence is even clearer now than it was in 2009, greenhouse gases pollute the air and contribute significantly to poor air quality. Connecticut suffers from some of the worst air quality in the United States, and greenhouse gas emissions, including from vehicles, contribute to air pollution that exacerbates respiratory illness, resulting in tens of millions of dollars spent on related healthcare costs in our state every year. Walking away from protecting the environment and public health will cost us. This reckless action puts us at greater risk for climate-related impacts, such as the dangerous and costly extreme weather events we’ve experienced in recent years, making Connecticut less safe.”
Read more via the Office of Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker
“Donald Trump is threatening your health and well-being to reward his fossil fuel donors. While he sells out our nation’s future, I won’t stop believing in the science and fighting for what Illinoisans need — affordable energy, clean air and water, and good jobs.”
Read more via @govpritzker.illinois.gov on Bluesky.
Donald Trump is threatening your health and well-being to reward his fossil fuel donors. While he sells out our nation's future, I won't stop believing in the science and fighting for what Illinoisans need — affordable energy, clean air and water, and good jobs.
— Governor JB Pritzker (@govpritzker.illinois.gov) February 12, 2026 at 6:24 PM
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Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey
“Rolling back the Endangerment Finding puts us on a path towards more extreme heat, severe storms, and devastating floods. And that’s not just bad for our health — it’s bad for our economy. Yet again, President Trump is putting American lives and livelihoods at risk.”
Read more via @massgovernor.bsky.social on Bluesky.
Rolling back the Endangerment Finding puts us on a path towards more extreme heat, severe storms, and devastating floods. And that's not just bad for our health — it's bad for our economy. Yet again, President Trump is putting American lives and livelihoods at risk.
— Governor Maura Healey (@massgovernor.bsky.social) February 19, 2026 at 8:52 AM
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Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and Department of Public Health (DPH)
“By rolling back the endangerment finding, the Trump Administration is dismantling one of the most important tools we have to protect public health. We cannot ignore the simple fact that vehicle pollution is bad for people, bad for our environment and bad for our economy. Massachusetts communities are grappling with devastating floods, our farms are struggling with unpredictable weather, and our cities are burdened by scorching hot summers. Massachusetts has strong environmental protections, and we have made significant progress in improving our air quality. The Trump Administration’s decision will disrupt and challenge our progress to address climate change and protect our communities. Seniors, children, and those with asthma will bear the brunt of increased pollution. Here in Massachusetts, we remain committed to reducing asthma and improving air quality across the state. We will continue to follow science, fight for cleaner air, and make sure all Massachusetts residents are safe and healthy.”
Read more via Mass.gov.
Maine Governor Janet Mills
“The Trump Administration is abandoning its responsibility to protect the health of our people and the planet from the proven harms of climate pollution. This decision disregards years of scientific research and data, leaving American families to feel the pain with dirtier air, poorer health, rising temperatures, and extreme weather events. Maine is already called the ‘tailpipe’ of the nation because of the air pollution that flows from other states into our atmosphere, and this misguided action will only make it worse. Maine is also grappling with increasingly frequent and severe storms that will only worsen from unchecked climate pollution, which threatens the health of Maine people, our environment, and our economy. Unlike the Federal government, my Administration will acknowledge good science and never back down from taking action to combat climate pollution to protect our people, our environment, and the future of our children.”
Read more via the Office of Maine Governor Janet Mills.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore
“Climate change is a threat to all of us – in Maryland and worldwide. This reversal in environmental regulations will put us all in danger and we must continue to uphold regulations previously made by the EPA in order to protect our planet.”
Read more via @govwesmoore.bsky.social on Bluesky.
Climate change is a threat to all of us – in Maryland and worldwide. This reversal in environmental regulations will put us all in danger and we must continue to uphold regulations previously made by the EPA in order to protect our planet.
— Governor Wes Moore (@govwesmoore.bsky.social) February 16, 2026 at 11:34 AM
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Maryland Department of the Environment
“This action is not only unlawful, but also a denial of basic science. It will severely harm Marylanders’ public health, economy, and environment. While the federal government walks away from its job, Maryland will continue to work to protect our state’s families from the damaging effects of climate pollution.”
Read more via the Maryland Department of the Environment on LinkedIn.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MNPCA)
“The Trump administration’s decision this week ignores climate science, puts Minnesotans at harm from the impacts of climate change, and means EPA will no longer use its authority to regulate climate pollution. The decision also allows more emissions of greenhouse gases – particularly from personal vehicles – which will make the climate crisis worse and will harm every Minnesotan. Minnesota sees the impact of the climate crisis every month: In winter, we see fewer days of ice on lakes and snow on the ground. In summer, we see more destructive flooding across the state with heavy rainfall events and record numbers of bad air quality days that impact every Minnesotan. These increasingly common and dangerous events are made more likely by the climate crisis that is fueled by greenhouse gas emissions.”
Read more via @mnpca on Instagram.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein
“In North Carolina, we know all too well the effects of climate change. The science is crystal clear, and this EPA decision makes us less safe. I promise to do everything in my power to protect people’s health and our state’s air, water, and natural beauty from carbon pollution.”
Read more via @ncgovernor.bsky.social on Bluesky.
In North Carolina, we know all too well the effects of climate change. The science is crystal clear, and this EPA decision makes us less safe. I promise to do everything in my power to protect people’s health and our state’s air, water, and natural beauty from carbon pollution.
— Governor Josh Stein (@ncgovernor.bsky.social) February 12, 2026 at 4:03 PM
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New Mexico Environment Department Secretary James Kenney
“Today, the federal government destroyed decades of established policies grounded in hard science recognized by the American and global scientific community. As a science-based organization working to help New Mexicans breathe cleaner air and drink cleaner water, we are in a moment of mourning and an ever-greater need for bold state action… Let me be clear: Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s administration will continue our work to innovate around climate solutions that are good for our people and economy.”
Read more via the New Mexico Environment Department.
New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton
“Today’s repeal of the Endangerment Finding made it clear that the political leadership of the Environmental Protection Agency is untethered to facts or science. The decision is a gift to polluters at the expense of Americans. If it stands, it will raise costs for families and communities and jeopardize the health and well-being of all New Yorkers. New York will continue to fight every day to protect New Yorkers from the impacts of climate change and deliver a safer, cleaner, and healthier future.”
Read more via the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek
“WTF. Trashing the rule of law, disappearing people, and now denying established science to endanger the future of our planet. Oregonians know better. We will continue our path forward to fight climate change and provide affordable options for a cleaner future.”
Read more via @govtinakotek on Instagram.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro
“Carbon pollution puts people’s health at risk, makes severe weather worse, threatens our farmers’ crops, and leads to increased health care costs — and decades of scientific research confirm it. Today, the Trump Administration is throwing all that evidence out the window. We believe in science in Pennsylvania, and I will continue to stand up against this Administration’s gross abuse of power to protect the health and safety of 13 million Pennsylvanians.”
Read more via @governorshapiro on Instagram.
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Director Terry Gray
“Despite overwhelming opposition from state and local leaders nationwide, the Trump administration’s actions depart from well-established scientific consensus and substantially weaken the federal government’s authority to regulate harmful emissions, rolling back longstanding public health safeguards and vehicle emissions standards. Allowing greenhouse gas emissions to go unchecked exacerbates the climate and public health challenges communities are already experiencing. Rhode Island remains committed to protecting the health, safety, and well-being of its residents. We will continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state and prepare for the impacts of climate change that we are already seeing in the form of sea level rise, storm surge, and more frequent and intense weather events.”
See more from the Rhode Island Department of Environment Management.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson
“This federal action is unlawful, ignores basic science and denies what we can see with our own two eyes: Climate change endangers our communities and our health — period. From historic floods to devastating wildfires, Washingtonians have seen the impacts of the climate crisis firsthand.”
Read more from @governorferguson.bsky.social on Bluesky.
This federal action is unlawful, ignores basic science and denies what we can see with our own two eyes: Climate change endangers our communities and our health — period. From historic floods to devastating wildfires, Washingtonians have seen the impacts of the climate crisis firsthand.
— Gov. Bob Ferguson (@governorferguson.bsky.social) February 12, 2026 at 8:28 PM
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Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers
“We know greenhouse gases cause climate change and endanger our communities and our health, and President Trump’s repeal of EPA rules and climate denial doesn’t change that proven fact. As co-chair of the U.S. Climate Alliance, I promise we will fight this.”
Read more via @govevers on Instagram.
