Trump's EPA Weakens Pollution Rules, Risking Haze Return to National Parks

Conservationists warn that the agency is paving the way for increased air pollution in beloved wilderness areas.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 11:18pm

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The Trump administration's Environmental Protection Agency has weakened federal regulations that have helped clear the air over national parks and wilderness areas across the U.S. over the past 25 years. The EPA is approving state plans that do not require coal plants to install additional pollution controls, despite concerns from conservationists that this will lead to a resurgence of haze and smog in protected natural areas.

Why it matters

The regional haze rule has been credited with significantly improving visibility in national parks and wilderness areas by requiring states to limit emissions and monitor air pollution. Conservationists fear the Trump administration's rollback of these regulations will undo decades of progress in clearing the skies over beloved natural landscapes.

The details

The EPA has approved state plans, such as West Virginia's, that do not require coal plants to assess whether they need additional pollution-reduction technology. The agency has also rejected proposals from states like California, Hawaii, and Colorado that would have led to the closure of polluting power plants, arguing that such shutdowns could threaten grid reliability. Conservationists say the EPA's new policy allows plants that are still polluting to avoid making any improvements.

  • In 2025, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the agency would look to roll back 31 landmark environmental regulations, including the regional haze rule.
  • In early 2025, the EPA signaled it would reject West Virginia's proposal, but six months later approved the same plan.
  • 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

EPA Administrator under the Trump administration who announced plans to roll back environmental regulations.

National Parks Conservation Association

A conservation group suing the EPA over its weakening of the regional haze rule.

Sierra Club

An environmental advocacy group 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 are suing the EPA over its weakening of the regional haze rule. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for air quality in national parks and wilderness areas across the country.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's rollback of the regional haze rule threatens to undo decades of progress in clearing the skies over America's most cherished natural landscapes. Conservationists warn that the EPA's new policies allow polluting facilities to avoid making necessary improvements, potentially leading to a resurgence of haze and smog in national parks and wilderness areas.