A federal plan that cleaned the air over U.S. national parks is at risk as the Trump administration pushes to eliminate the rule behind it.
Todd Richmond and Mary Katherine Wildeman report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- The 1999 regional haze rule, born out of the 1977 Clean Air Act amendments, targets emissions from older polluting facilities to restore visibility in 156 national parks, wilderness areas, and tribal lands by 2064.
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, led by Lee Zeldin, has proposed rolling back 31 environmental rules, including the haze rule, arguing it's no longer needed and imposes undue burdens on industry.
- Data show air quality has improved in 93% of monitored sites, with dramatic visibility gains in parks like Great Smoky Mountains and Grand Canyon, but any repeal could face lengthy court battles.
Key quote:
“I’ve watched the Great Smoky Mountains National Park emerge from the chemical haze that once enshrouded it and was getting worse.”
— Don Barger, outdoor enthusiast
Why this matters:
Air pollution from power plants and industrial facilities doesn’t just harm lungs — it blurs the horizons of some of America’s most treasured landscapes. The regional haze rule aimed to protect scenic vistas in places like the Grand Canyon and Glacier National Park by requiring states to cut pollution that causes haze. It has succeeded in making skies clearer and air healthier, with proven drops in sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Rolling it back could reverse progress not only in visibility but also in reducing pollutants linked to asthma, heart disease, and premature death. And with millions visiting parks every year, the stakes are not just environmental but economic, as well as deeply personal for the communities that depend on clean air and steady tourism.
Read more: Listen: Bad air polluting our brains
