It has been two months since EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the self-titled “Biggest Deregulatory Action in U.S. History” (EPA Launches Biggest Deregulatory Action in U.S. History | US EPA). Despite these federal shifts, state-level environmental regulations are not only persisting but intensifying, particularly in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting and corporate accountability. Since March 12, multiple state governments have explicitly announced the continuation and expansion of climate legislation. The demand for timely, high-quality emissions data is accelerating, and the tools to manage it must evolve just as quickly.

On March 17, 2025, Ceres submitted a detailed comment letter to California Air Resources Board (CARB) urging swift and rigorous implementation of SB 253 and SB 261 (the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act and Climate Related Financial Risk Reporting law) to deliver standardized, high-quality disclosures of Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions. CARB is expected to release its formal regulation text by July 1, 2025, setting the stage for the first disclosures in 2026. Public Comments to California Climate-Disclosure Information Solicitation: Submission #1649 | California Air Resources Board

This was followed by an announcement on April 15, 2025, by Governor Gavin Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire, and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas that they will seek legislative action to extend California’s cap and trade program, currently set to expire in 2030. The program has reduced statewide emissions by 20 percent since 2000, even while the state’s GDP grew by 78 percent. By signaling this extension amid federal deregulation threats, California aims to lock in market certainty and continue investment in emission reducing projects. On May 7, CARB also released a new report announcing nearly $33 billion dollars have already been raised by the cap-and-trade program; these are funds that will allocated to 117 different climate-related programs. Governor of California, California Air Resources Board

On March 26, 2025, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released draft regulations to establish a mandatory program for collecting greenhouse gas emissions data. The proposal would require large emitters, fuel suppliers, and electricity generators to report detailed emissions inventories. According to the press release, this is only one part of Governor Kathy Hochul’s plan, which also includes developing a cap-and-invest program much like California. As both programs ramp up, it will be more important than ever to have an established and flexible system for collecting and synthesizing emissions data. DEC Releases Draft Regulations to Collect Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data – NYSDEC

Senator Siela A. Bynoe also announced that the 2025 26 state budget proposal includes significant new investments in regional infrastructure, flood mitigation, and climate adaptation. This fiscal commitment ensures that municipalities have the resources to implement the State’s ambitious clean energy roadmap and gives industry the reassurance that money is continuing to be invested in climate-based activities, and they should follow suite. Senator Bynoe Champions Local Investments and Climate Resiliency in State Budget Proposal | NYSenate.gov

Massachusetts leadership specifically called out the challenge that they felt the federal government had raised through the Deregulation. On April 11, 2025, State Sen. Mike Barrett, representing the state host to some of the nation’s strongest climate laws, will “not be deterred one iota” by federal deregulatory moves. State leaders view climate action as essential to public health and economic resilience, ensuring that their long-term goals will continue to involve transparency and reporting responsibilities from emitters. Mass. has strong climate laws. A new Trump action aims to undo them | WBUR News 

As federal oversight retreats, state-level leadership is increasingly placing transparency and accountability at the center of climate-related policy. For companies, municipalities, and other stakeholders, the plethora of regulations has created a complex operating environment, and it can be difficult to keep track of the specific regulations that apply to each scenario and individual. In this context, digital tools are not just helpful; they are becoming essential for managing the volume, precision, and frequency of environmental data reporting now required. Flexible digital platforms can support a wide range of climate and environmental initiatives. 

Digital solutions can facilitate multiple processes, including: 

Beyond compliance, digital tools can also provide analysis for industries as they shape their future under new climate policies. As states invest in climate adaptation, data platforms can help identify vulnerabilities, prioritize projects, and measure impact over time. Tracking financial impacts of greenhouse gas reporting and mitigation efforts can point industry in both a cost-saving and regulation-compliant direction. In Massachusetts and other states focused on clean energy transitions, digital solutions can assist in tracking renewable energy adoption and managing incentive programs. New York has new regulations requiring robust emission inventories for large-scale emitters, requiring the synthesis of huge amounts of environmental data. California continually discusses improvements and changes to greenhouse gas reporting, meaning that emitters must be ready to perform different analyses year over year.

If you would like to discuss how digital solutions can keep your facility in compliance, contact Trinity Consultants directly to talk with a local expert.