Trump's EPA Weakens Pollution Rules, Threatening Visibility at National Parks

Conservationists warn that the agency's rollback of the regional haze rule could allow more haze to return to beloved wilderness areas.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 9:18am

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The Trump administration's Environmental Protection Agency has weakened federal regulations that required states to limit emissions and monitor air pollution in national parks and wilderness areas. Conservationists say the EPA is approving state plans that don't do enough to reduce pollution, threatening to undo decades of progress in clearing the air over these protected lands.

Why it matters

The regional haze rule has been credited with significantly improving visibility in national parks and wilderness areas over the past 25 years. Conservationists argue that the Trump EPA's rollback of this regulation could allow more pollution and haze to return, diminishing the experience for visitors and harming sensitive ecosystems.

The details

The EPA has approved state plans that don't require coal plants to install additional pollution control technology, as long as the plans show visibility is meeting benchmarks. Conservationists say this "backdoor" policy allows plants to continue polluting as long as overall visibility hits targets, even if individual facilities aren't doing their part. The EPA has also rejected state plans that would have forced the closure of coal plants, citing concerns over grid reliability and electricity supply.

  • In 2025, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the agency would look to roll back the regional haze rule.
  • In early 2025, the EPA initially rejected West Virginia's plan for not requiring enough pollution controls, but then approved the same plan six months later.
  • In 2024, the Biden-era EPA planned to reject California's haze plan, but the Trump EPA approved it in 2025.

The players

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The federal agency responsible for enforcing environmental regulations, including the regional haze rule.

Lee Zeldin

The EPA Administrator under the Trump administration who announced plans to roll back the regional haze rule and other environmental regulations.

National Parks Conservation Association

A nonprofit organization that advocates for the protection of national parks, and is suing the EPA over its rollback of the regional haze rule.

Sierra Club

An environmental advocacy group that is also suing the EPA over its changes to the regional haze rule.

Earthjustice

An environmental law firm representing the National Parks Conservation Association and Sierra Club in their lawsuit against the EPA.

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What they’re saying

“They're using these reversals and those changes to achieve their agenda of letting polluting facilities stay online.”

— Ulla Reeves, Director of the National Parks Conservation Association's clean air program

“We view this (new policy) as a backdoor way to kick the can down the road.”

— Joshua Smith, Attorney for the Sierra Club

“To try to resurrect coal is like digging up a grave, and this administration wants to dig up that grave. It's nonsensical and, I think, lawless.”

— Jim Schaberl, Former air and water quality manager at Shenandoah National Park

What’s next

The National Parks Conservation Association, Sierra Club, and Earthjustice have filed a lawsuit against the EPA over its rollback of the regional haze rule. The outcome of this lawsuit could determine the future of air quality protections in national parks and wilderness areas.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's weakening of the regional haze rule threatens to undo decades of progress in clearing the air over America's national parks and wilderness areas. Conservationists warn that this policy change could allow more pollution and haze to return, diminishing the visitor experience and harming sensitive ecosystems in these protected lands.