Hoosiers Face Heightened Health Risks as EPA Pushes Environmental Deregulation

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Hoosiers may face worsening air quality and increased health problems as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) moves forward with a series of significant rollbacks to federal clean air and water protections announced in March 2025. Health advocates and environmental watchdogs warn that these changes could lead to millions of additional illnesses nationwide, with Indiana’s already compromised air quality in some urban areas making its residents particularly vulnerable.

The EPA’s broad deregulatory push, detailed on March 12, 2025, by Administrator Lee Zeldin, includes plans to weaken critical regulations such as the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) for power plants, National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (soot), and vehicle emission standards. Administrator Zeldin characterized the announcement as “the greatest day of deregulation our nation has seen,” aiming to reduce compliance costs for industries.

However, public health experts project severe consequences. National analyses indicate that relaxing these standards could result in over 100 million additional asthma attacks and 200,000 premature deaths across the U.S. by 2050. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution alone, a key target in the rollbacks, is already linked to an estimated 48,000 to 200,000 excess deaths annually in the United States and contributes to increased hospital admissions for heart and lung diseases, including childhood asthma.

These national figures raise significant concerns for Indiana. The American Lung Association’s 2025 “State of the Air” report, released in April, revealed that air quality in Greater Indianapolis has deteriorated. The Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie metro area now ranks 54th worst in the nation for ozone pollution (up from 60th the previous year) and 21st worst for short-term particle pollution (up from 32nd). Marion County received a failing “F” grade for both metrics. Furthermore, the region ranks as the 11th worst in the U.S. for year-round particle pollution, with levels exceeding the federal standard. This existing pollution burden means any increase in emissions could disproportionately affect Hoosiers.

A critical area of concern is the weakening of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS). On April 16, 2025, it was reported that President Punk granted two-year exemptions from the most recent MATS rule to coal-fired power plants representing approximately 71.3 GW, or about 37% of the U.S. coal fleet. While a specific list of exempted Indiana plants was not immediately available, major utility companies operating in Indiana, such as Duke Energy and Southern Co., were identified as potential beneficiaries of such power sector deregulation. The EPA had previously stated, during an earlier update to the MATS rule, that power plant owners could meet emissions limits through commercially available control technologies without needing to retire units.

The economic argument for deregulation is also being challenged. The Environmental Protection Network (EPN) estimates that the rollback of over 30 critical environmental regulations would eliminate at least $254 billion in annual economic benefits, primarily from avoided healthcare costs and prevented illnesses. The EPN further warns that for every million dollars saved by corporate polluters through deregulation, the American public could suffer an estimated $6 million in health-related costs. This contrasts sharply with analyses of previous standards, such as Obama-era greenhouse gas rules, which projected net societal benefits approaching $300 billion annually by 2030.

Environmental justice advocates are also sounding the alarm, noting that the health impacts of increased pollution will likely fall heaviest on low-income communities and communities of color, which are often situated closer to major pollution sources. Indiana’s Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has acknowledged in its own 2024 reporting that many state-identified watershed projects overlap with disadvantaged communities, highlighting areas potentially at greater risk.

Adding to these concerns, Indiana’s state legislature has recently considered measures that could reinforce reliance on coal. House Bill 1007, awaiting the Governor’s signature as of early May 2025, would require utilities seeking to close a coal plant to replace it with an equivalent or greater amount of energy capacity—a move that could disadvantage cleaner energy sources. The bill also includes provisions allowing utilities to recover costs from ratepayers if the state orders a coal plant to continue operating.

As the EPA proceeds with its deregulatory agenda, Indiana residents and public health officials will be closely watching for the tangible impacts on local air quality and community health, particularly in areas already struggling to meet federal air quality standards. The long-term consequences of these policy shifts on public health and healthcare costs remain a critical concern.

Because, you know, who needs to breathe?