Efforts to combat climate change in Democratic-led states are facing significant challenges, as President Donald Trump’s administration moves to dismantle federal climate policies while voters express concerns about rising energy costs. The double blow has forced states like New York, Maryland, and California to reconsider or delay key climate initiatives, raising doubts about their ability to meet ambitious emissions reduction goals.
State Leaders Struggle with Climate Policy Costs
As Trump’s administration rolls back environmental regulations, Democratic governors are finding it difficult to balance climate goals with economic realities. New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who inherited her state’s aggressive clean energy transition plan, has voiced concerns about the financial burden on consumers.
“What is the cost? I can’t do things without knowing the cost on consumers,” Hochul said last summer. “The goals are still worthy — but we have to think about the collateral damage.”
This hesitation has led to delays and setbacks in multiple states:
- New York has postponed finalizing a landmark pollution pricing and climate funding program.
- Maryland has put off action on a carbon pricing initiative.
- Vermont is expected to abandon an effort to increase home electrification funding by raising heating fuel prices.
- California has repeatedly delayed plans to strengthen its emissions trading program, a key component of its climate strategy.
The struggle to navigate public pushback and Trump’s deregulation efforts has made it increasingly difficult for states to achieve their ambitious climate targets.
Political Pressure and Public Concerns Over High Energy Prices
The political landscape has shifted as voters voice concerns over high electricity and gas prices, making it harder for Democratic officials to push aggressive climate policies.
“The public is exhausted,” said New York Assemblymember John McDonald (D-Albany). “They don’t want to see their bills go up. We have to be sensitive to that.”
Even before Trump took office again, rising costs of clean energy projects—exacerbated by inflation, supply chain disruptions, and global conflicts—had led to the cancellation of offshore wind projects and other renewable energy initiatives.
Can States Still Lead on Climate Without Federal Support?
Despite setbacks, some state leaders remain committed to climate action.
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who now serves as the UN’s Special Envoy on Climate Ambition, has pledged to fund America’s dues to the UN climate body after Trump withdrew from the Paris Agreement.
“We are ready to do it again,” Bloomberg stated, referring to the coalitions that Democratic governors formed during Trump’s first term to uphold climate commitments.
The U.S. Climate Alliance, a coalition of 22 states and two territories, insists it is still on track to cut emissions by at least 26% from 2005 levels. Hochul has also signed a Climate Superfund bill, aimed at forcing fossil fuel companies to compensate for their historical emissions.
The Future of State Climate Policy in a Trump Era
Despite efforts to push ahead, environmental advocates worry that Trump’s climate rollbacks and financial constraints could undermine state progress. Eddie Bautista, executive director of the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance, criticized Hochul’s approach, calling her leadership on climate “visionless.”
Meanwhile, California officials are preparing to reauthorize the state’s emissions trading program, but concerns over costs and effectiveness remain.
“We’re deciding how we want to proceed,” said California Air Resources Board Chair Liane Randolph.
As climate change-driven disasters increase, states will have to weigh the economic costs of inaction against the political risks of pushing aggressive climate policies.
“We need to be sensitive to people’s wallets,” McDonald emphasized.
With federal funding for climate initiatives at risk, states must rethink their approach—finding ways to balance climate action with economic sustainability in the face of political opposition.
