EPA Rollbacks Threaten Public Health, Drive Up Energy Costs, and Undermine Clean Air Protections

I spoke with Meredith Hankins, legal director of NRDC's federal climate work.In February, the EPA withdrew the 2009 endangerment finding regarding the impact of greenhouse gases on public health and welfare. This regulatory change modifies long-standing Clean Air Act protocols, which may lead to shifts in public health outcomes, disaster preparedness requirements, and long-term energy pricing.Why This Matters Now:Public Health at Risk: From the start of President Trump’s second term, the administration prioritized propping up fossil fuels. NRDC and others warned this would increase pollution and health harms. One year later, the data confirmed it: policies keeping coal plants online are worsening air pollution, harming children’s lungs, and increasing the risk of premature death.Higher Costs for Families: Rolling back clean vehicle rules means higher costs for American families. The standards were projected to save drivers about $6,000 over the life of a new vehicle through fuel and maintenance savings. EPA’s repeal raises gas prices and household costs—even by the agency’s own analysis—while broader energy rollbacks expose families to higher utility, health, and disaster-related expenses.Economic Damage from Climate Disasters: In 2025 alone, 23 separate billion-dollar climate disasters caused at least $115 billion in damages nationwide — a cost borne by American families, homeowners, and taxpayers.  Legal Precedent Ignored: In Massachusetts v. EPA, the Supreme Court held that greenhouse gases are air pollutants under the Clean Air Act and required EPA to determine--based on science alone--whether they endanger public health and welfare. Scientific Consensus Overwhelming: The National Academies of Sciences reaffirmed that EPA’s Endangerment Finding “was accurate, has stood the test of time, and is now reinforced by even stronger evidence.”