Trump threatens Clean air at National Parks
A 26-year-old federal rule responsible for clearing up skies in national parks may be on the chopping block under a major deregulatory push by the Trump administration. The regional haze rule, enacted in 1999 under the Clean Air Act, requires states to limit pollution that impairs visibility in 156 national parks and wilderness areas across 36 states. As most people know, Utah is home to 5 national parks.
Trump’s EPA—led by Administrator Lee Zeldin—announced its intent to roll back the rule, claiming it imposes unnecessary burdens and fails to properly account for natural or international sources of pollution. This move threatens decades of progress in restoring scenic vistas and protecting public health. Residents and visitors alike flock to Utah year long to witness some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country. Now, not only will visitors be left with a sour taste (or a sore throat) on Utah’s capitol city due to air quality, but but their visits to iconic parks like Zion and Bryce Canyon will come with hazy skies, diminished views, and increased exposure to harmful pollution that puts their health—especially for children, older adults, and those with respiratory conditions—at real risk.
This rollback attempt comes on the heels of a disappointing court decision that dealt a blow to UPHE and fellow conservation groups fighting to bring Utah’s Hunter and Huntington coal plants into compliance with regional haze standards. Despite overwhelming public support for stricter controls—over 100,000 comments, petitions, and appeals—the court upheld a 2020 EPA plan that removed requirements for pollution-cutting technologies like Selective Catalytic Reduction, previously mandated in 2016.
The medical science is clear—there is no safe level of air pollution. The rollback of this rule and failure to hold polluters accountable puts both our health and our national treasures at risk.
The Hunter and Huntington coal plants, located in Emery County, Utah, are two of the state’s largest and dirtiest sources of air pollution. Together, they emit thousands of tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), particulate matter (PM2.5), and mercury each year. These pollutants contribute significantly to haze and visibility issues in Utah’s nearby national parks, including Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion—all of which are part of Utah’s iconic “Mighty 5.” These parks are treasured not just for their beauty, but also for the economic value they bring to the state through tourism.