AG Jackson Challenges EPA Rollback Affecting North Carolina Gas Prices

NC AG Press Releases

Filed March 20th, 2026

Detected March 23rd, 2026

Summary

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, joined by 23 other state AGs, is challenging an EPA rollback of vehicle pollution standards. The EPA's own analysis indicates this rollback will increase fuel costs for consumers by an estimated $1.5 trillion, leading to higher gas prices.

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What changed

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, along with a coalition of 24 state attorneys general, has filed a legal challenge against the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) rollback of vehicle pollution standards. The lawsuit specifically targets the EPA's recission of the 'Endangerment Finding,' which the AGs argue will lead to significant increases in fuel costs for consumers. According to the EPA's own analysis cited in the press release, this rollback is projected to cost consumers nearly $1.5 trillion in higher fuel and vehicle maintenance expenses, with gas prices potentially rising by 25 cents per gallon by 2035 and up to 75 cents per gallon by 2050.

This action represents a substantive challenge to a federal regulatory change with direct financial implications for consumers and the state's environmental goals. Regulated entities, particularly those in the automotive and energy sectors, should monitor the outcome of this litigation as it could impact future emissions standards and fuel economy requirements. While no specific compliance deadline is mentioned for regulated entities, the challenge aims to prevent the rollback from taking effect, thereby preserving existing standards. The primary consequence of non-compliance with the existing standards (which the rollback seeks to undo) would be subject to EPA enforcement, but this challenge is focused on preventing the rollback itself.

What to do next

Monitor litigation challenging EPA rollback of vehicle pollution standards
Assess potential impact of litigation outcome on fuel economy and emissions compliance strategies

Source document (simplified)

Attorney General Jeff Jackson Challenges EPA Rollback That Will Raise Gas Prices for North Carolina Families

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 20, 2026
Contact: comms@ncdoj.gov
919-538-2809

EPA’s own data shows the rollback will raise fuel prices and cost consumers $1.5 trillion

RALEIGH — Attorney General Jeff Jackson joined a coalition of 24 attorneys general in challenging an EPA rollback that the agency’s own analysis shows will raise fuel costs and cost consumers more than it saves.

“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.

“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,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I thank Attorney General Jackson for taking action to protect North Carolinians’ pocketbooks and futures.”

The EPA’s own analysis shows that eliminating vehicle pollution standards will cost consumers nearly $1.5 trillion in higher fuel and vehicle maintenance costs. Gas prices will increase by 25 cents a gallon by 2035 and up to 75 cents a gallon by 2050, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration cited in the EPA’s own report.

Less fuel-efficient vehicles also cost more to operate over their lifetime. Consumer groups have consistently found that fuel economy standards save families more at the pump than they add to the price of a new car.

North Carolina has spent nearly two decades reducing emissions, cutting them by 21 percent between 2005 and 2022. This rollback reverses that progress. More pollution means higher temperatures and more extreme weather. The EPA should not be making it harder for North Carolina to continue its progress.

The coalition argues that the EPA’s rollback violates the Clean Air Act and directly contradicts the Supreme Court’s ruling in Massachusetts v. EPA, which held that the agency has the authority and the obligation to regulate these emissions when they endanger public health. The EPA’s original 2009 finding was based on years of scientific review and has been upheld by federal courts. The agency has produced no new science to justify reversing it. In fact, the National Academies of Sciences concluded that the evidence supporting the finding has only grown stronger since 2009.

Attorney General Jackson is joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

A copy of the petition is available here.

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