Visibility - Regulatory Actions
This page contains a chronological listing of all regulatory actions and announcements related to visibility.
Proposed Action for the Extension of the State Implementation Plan Due Date for the Regional Haze Third Implementation Period
December 13, 2024 - The Regional Haze Rule requires states to submit state implementation plans (SIPs) to protect visibility in mandatory Class I federal areas by controlling air emissions that cause regional haze and continue reasonable progress towards natural visibility. EPA is proposing to extend the due date for the next round of SIPs covering the Third Implementation Period from July 31, 2028, to July 31, 2031. EPA also solicits comment on alternative deadlines.
Proposed Rulemaking: Proposed Revisions to the Texas Regional Haze Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART) Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) and Reaffirmation of the Cross State Air Pollution Rule as Better than BART
April 19, 2023 - EPA is proposing to replace a portion of the existing best available retrofit technology (BART) Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) for Texas. The proposed BART FIP would require source-specific emission limits for sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM) on 12 Electric Generating Units (EGUs) located at six power plants in Texas. EPA is also proposing to deny a petition for reconsideration received in 2020 from environmental groups related to EPA's prior determination that participation in the Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) trading programs is a valid BART alternative under the Regional Haze Rule. EPA's proposed denial of the petition for reconsideration will affirm the continued validity of participation in CSAPR as a BART alternative by taking into account the proposed source-specific emission limits EPA is concurrently proposing for Texas EGUs.
EPA Denies Petition for Reconsideration of 2017 CSAPR Better Than BART Affirmation
June 29, 2020 - EPA is denying a petition for reconsideration of certain aspects of EPA’s September 29, 2017, final rule titled, “Interstate Transport of Fine Particulate Matter: Revision of Federal Implementation Plan Requirements for Texas."
Announcement: EPA Releases Regional Haze Reform Roadmap
September 11, 2018 - In the Regional Haze Reform Roadmap, Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler directed EPA staff to take certain actions to ensure adequate support for states to enable timely and effective implementation of the regional haze program today and in the future.
Announcement: EPA will Revisit Aspects of the Regional Haze Rule
January 17, 2018 - The EPA is announcing its decision to revisit certain aspects of the 2017 Regional Haze Rule under our inherent rulemaking authority.
Final Rulemaking Affirming the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) as an Alternative to Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART)
September 29, 2017 - This rule affirms the continued validity of the EPA's 2012 determination that participation in CSAPR meets the Regional Haze Rule's criteria for an alternative to the application of source-specific BART. The rule also withdraws the federal implementation plan provisions that require affected electricity generating units in Texas to participate in Phase 2 of the CSAPR emission allowance trading program for annual emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
Read Interstate Transport of Fine Particulate Matter: Revision of Federal Implementation Plan Requirements for Texas(pdf) (328 KB).
Final Rulemaking: Amendments to Regulatory Requirements for State Regional Haze Plans
December 14, 2016 - The EPA is finalizing revisions to requirements states must follow in preparing and submitting implementation plans and progress reports for visibility impairment.
Learn more about the final rulemaking.
Proposed Rulemaking: Amendments to Regulatory Requirements for State Regional Haze Plans
May 4, 2016 - The EPA is proposing to revise the requirements states must follow in preparing and submitting implementation plans and progress reports for visibility impairment.
Learn more about the proposed rulemaking.
Final Action to Allow Participation in the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) to serve as an Alternative to Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART)
May 30, 2012 - EPA has finalized a rule that allows the trading programs in the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) to serve as an alternative to determining source-by-source Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART).
Learn more about the final action.
Proposed Action to Allow Participation in the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) to serve as an Alternative to Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART)
December 23, 2011 - EPA proposes to approve the trading program in the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) as an alternative to determining source-by-source Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART).
Learn more about the proposed action, including Results of the Integrated Planning Model (IPM) for this Proposed Action.
EPA Sets Schedule to Improve Visibility in the Nation's Most Treasured Natural Areas
November 9, 2011 - EPA issued a schedule to act on more than 40 state pollution reduction plans that will improve visibility in national parks and wilderness areas and protect public health from the damaging effects of the pollutants that cause regional haze. EPA will accept public comment on this agreement for 30 days following publication of a notice in the Federal Register.
Learn more about the schedule.
EPA Makes Findings of Failure to Submit State Implementation Plans (SIPs) - 1999 Regional Haze Program
January 9, 2009 - EPA issued findings that 37 states, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands states missed Clean Air Act deadlines for submitting plans, or elements of plans, for implementing EPA's Regional Haze Program.
Learn more about the findings.
EPA has finalized an emissions trading program to help state and tribal governments improve visibility in national parks and wilderness areas
On October, 5, 2006, EPA finalized an alternative emissions trading program that gives flexibility for states or tribal governments in ways to apply Best Alternative Retrofit Technology (BART). The BART requirements would be satisfied if the trading program meets or exceeds the visibility benefits resulting from BART.
Learn more about the emissions trading program.
Emissions Trading Could Satisfy Best Available Retrofit Technology Requirements Under EPA's Regional Haze Program
On July 20, 2005, EPA proposed a new regulation that would give states the option to develop an emissions trading program to improve visibility in national parks and wilderness areas. EPA’s proposal outlines the process that a state or tribal governments would use to show that an emissions trading program could be used to meet the Clean Air Visibility Rule’s Best Available Retrofit Technology or BART Requirements. EPA will accept comments on the proposed rule for 45 days after it is published in the Federal Register.
Learn more about the proposal for the new regulation.
Final Clean Air Visibility Rule Will Restore Visibility in America's National Parks and Wilderness Areas
On June 15, 2005, EPA issued final amendments to its July 1999 regional haze rule. These amendments apply to the provisions of the regional haze rule that require emission controls known as Best Available Retrofit Technology, or BART, for industrial facilities emitting air pollutants that reduce visibility. These pollutants include fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and compounds which contribute to PM2.5 formation, such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides, certain volatile organic compounds, and ammonia. The amendments include final guidelines, known as BART guidelines, for states to use in determining which facilities must install controls and the type of controls the facilities must use.
Results of the Integrated Planning Model (IPM) for the Final Amendments to the Regional Haze Regulations and Guidelines for BART Determinations
The IPM is a computer model that can be used to examine air pollution control policies for SO2 and NOX throughout the contiguous United States for the entire power sector. EPA used the IPM to model the impacts of BART on the electric power sector to develop the final BART rule.
Learn more about the results of the IPM.
Proposed Rulemaking: Guidelines for Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART) Determinations Under the Regional Haze Rule and Amendments to the Regional Haze Rule
April 15, 2004 - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to amend its regional haze rule to provide guidelines for state and tribal air quality agencies to use in determining how to set air pollution limits for a number of older, large utilities and other industrial plants, to address visibility impairment in scenic areas. In May 2002, the DC Circuit court vacated certain provisions of the regional haze rule related best available retrofit technology (BART). Because of this remand, we need to repropose guidelines intended to add further clarification to the BART requirements in the regional haze rule. The purpose of this rulemaking is to provide the appropriate changes to the BART requirements and guidelines.
Learn more about the proposed changes to the BART requirements and guidelines.
EPA’s 1999 Regional Haze Rule for Protection of Visibility in National Parks and Wilderness Areas
June 2, 1999 - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued regulations to improve visibility, or visual air quality, in 156 national parks and wilderness areas across the country.
Learn more about the 1999 Regional Haze Rule.