As states step up to secure emissions data in the face of potential federal rollbacks, others should follow suit
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed eliminating its Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) — a critical source of public data that shows the sources and scale of pollution that causes climate change, including from oil and gas facilities, landfills, large industrial and manufacturing facilities, and power plants. This data is widely used by policymakers, scientists, businesses, and communities to inform how to address climate pollution. In short, the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program is the foundation for policies that make life safer, healthier and more affordable for all Americans.
The loss of reliable federal emissions data would be especially consequential for state and local governments who would lose access to information necessary for designing effective climate policies and tracking progress towards emissions goals.
State leadership can ensure continued reliable climate data
As the federal government threatens to roll back emissions reporting requirements, states can step up to fill the gap, and several are already leading the way. California, Washington, Oregon and Colorado each established their own greenhouse gas reporting rules years ago to improve their ability to track emissions and reach their own climate targets. Just last month, New York joined this group by finalizing its own comprehensive reporting rule. High credibility emissions data is critical for effective climate action; it ensures that states can track progress, hold emitters accountable, and design policies that deliver meaningful reductions and tangible benefits to communities. For example, the existing emissions reporting programs in California and Washington are key to the integrity and success of their respective cap-and-invest programs.
Several states already operate robust greenhouse gas reporting systems which ensure transparency and accountability, providing blueprints for others.
Key state greenhouse gas reporting rules
| State | Rule | Rule First Adopted |
|---|---|---|
| California | Regulation for the Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (17 CCR 95100) | 2007 |
| Colorado | Colorado Greenhouse Gas Reporting (5 CCR 1001) | 2020 |
| New York | Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (6 NYCRR 253) | 2025 |
| Oregon | Oregon Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (340 OAR 215) | 2008 |
| Washington | Reporting of Emissions of Greenhouse Gases (173 WAC 441) | 2010 |
Many states, however, rely solely on data reported through the EPA’s GHGRP to inform design of their climate policies and track emissions progress. Without continued access to such information, they will need to swiftly enact policies to ensure continued operation, independent of the federal program.
Deeper dive: New York’s progress in the face of federal headwinds
On December 1, 2025, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation finalized regulations for its Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. As the first state to mandate emissions reporting since the EPA proposed rolling back the federal reporting program, New York has set a precedent for states to implement their own reporting mechanisms. The state’s rule will ensure continued transparency and access to up-to-date emissions data.
The rule requires reporting from greenhouse gas emitters across all sectors, including stationary sources (e.g. power plants and manufacturing facilities), fuel suppliers, and electricity importers and exporters. Third-party verification of reported emissions is required for the largest emitters. The rule applies to both emissions sources who have historically reported their emissions to the EPA as well as smaller sources, to give New York policymakers a comprehensive picture of emissions in the state. 2026 will represent the first year of data collection with initial reporting on emissions due mid-2027.
New York’s reporting rule not only ensures continued availability of emissions data amidst federal rollbacks, it will also be essential for measuring compliance with pollution reduction policies, most notably the Clean Air Initiative — New York’s emerging cap-and-invest program. As evidenced by California and Washington, accurate emissions reporting is essential to the reliability and success of market-based climate regulations. Regulators rely on this information to set the emissions cap, ensure polluters are complying with the cap by holding allowances equal to each ton of their emissions, and keep the program calibrated to the state’s climate goals over time. Without accurate reporting, the integrity of these programs could be in question, which is precisely why California and Washington have invested significant time and resources to ensure their programs are robust and polluters are required to report consistently and accurately.
New York has taken a critical step forward by finalizing its emissions reporting program. By fully implementing the Clean Air Initiative, the state can progress from tracking climate pollution to cutting climate pollution while delivering widespread economic opportunity and cost saving benefits to New Yorkers.
States have the tools to lead
With federal attempts underway to dismantle the EPA’s reporting program, New York joins a group of states that have set an important example, advancing durable, science-based systems for greenhouse gas reporting. Other states seeking to protect their communities from the impacts of unchecked climate pollution amidst EPA rollbacks should follow suit. State policymakers should explore opportunities to advance commonsense greenhouse gas reporting requirements under existing authority or work to establish new laws — giving them the tools to put in place effective and comprehensive climate policies in the years ahead.
