According to independent modeling, under a rollback of the EPA Endangerment Finding, gasoline prices could rise by as much as 75 cents a gallon by 2050. (Adobe Stock)
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Feb 24, 2026
By Chrystal Blair
The Environmental Protection Agency is moving to revoke the federal ruling known as the Endangerment Finding, the legal basis for regulating greenhouse gas pollution from cars and trucks.
EPA officials contended the repeal would ease regulatory burdens, lower costs and give automakers more flexibility.
Dr. MeiLan Han, chief of pulmonary and critical care at the University of Michigan and volunteer spokesperson for the American Lung Association, argued science shows the health consequences of pollution reach far beyond what people might expect.
“We’re going to have more generalized lung inflammation and spikes in lung inflammation,” Han explained. “That does make you more susceptible to other bad things happening – not just the development of chronic respiratory diseases but the increased susceptibility to infection.”
Han pointed out while children, seniors and pregnant women are especially vulnerable, growing evidence shows higher air pollution levels increase health risks for nearly everyone.
Independent modeling suggests repealing the standards could lead to thousands of additional pollution-related deaths in the coming decades and Han stressed the effects would not be shared equally.
“When you look at which Americans are nearest, for instance, trucking routes, high traffic areas – so the people that are going to feel the impact first – it tends to be people that are already disproportionately affected by social determinants of health,” Han emphasized.
Critics also warned removing the finding would remove the EPA’s legal obligation to limit climate pollution from vehicles. The EPA countered markets and states can drive cleaner technology without strict federal mandates.
