Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced on March 20 that he has joined a coalition of 24 attorneys general to challenge a recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rollback, which the agency’s own analysis indicates will increase fuel costs for consumers.
The move is significant because it addresses concerns about rising gas prices and the potential impact on North Carolina families. The EPA’s decision to eliminate vehicle pollution standards is projected to cost consumers nearly $1.5 trillion in higher fuel and maintenance expenses, with gas prices expected to rise by 25 cents per gallon by 2035 and up to 75 cents per gallon by 2050, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration cited in the EPA’s report.
“The EPA’s own numbers show this rollback will raise gas prices and cost families more than it saves. We’re going to court to stop it,” said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. Governor Josh Stein also commented, “The EPA’s recission of the Endangerment Finding is a massive step backward that threatens our efforts to lower costs and keep people safe from extreme weather events. I thank Attorney General Jackson for taking action to protect North Carolinians’ pocketbooks and futures.”
Consumer groups have found that fuel economy standards help families save money at the pump over time, even if they add some cost upfront when purchasing new vehicles. North Carolina has reduced emissions by 21 percent between 2005 and 2022, but officials say this progress could be reversed if the rollback proceeds.
The coalition argues that the EPA’s action violates the Clean Air Act and contradicts a Supreme Court ruling affirming the agency’s authority to regulate emissions when public health is at risk. The original finding was based on years of scientific review, with no new evidence presented for its reversal; recent conclusions from the National Academies of Sciences indicate even stronger support for regulating these emissions since 2009.
Jackson leads the North Carolina State Executive Attorney General office as attorney general according to the official website. The office aims to prevent crime, assist law enforcement, protect consumers, defend residents’ rights statewide, represent state agencies in court, prosecute criminal appeals, and provide legal representation as well as consumer protection services according to its official website.
