EPA Criticizes Utah Plan for Failing to Deliver Emissions Reductions Needed to Protect National Park Air Quality

SALT LAKE CITY – Yesterday, the Environmental Protection Agency closed a 30-day public comment period after receiving roughly 6,000 public comments, with the National Parks Conservation Association and Utah residents calling for stronger regulations on the state’s worst coal polluters. The action follows EPA’s August 19, 2024 proposed rule, which partially disapproved Utah’s haze plan for failing to include pollution controls. The level of public engagement underscores the growing demand for cleaner air and strengthened regulations for national parks and wilderness areas.

Regional haze pollution in Utah tarnishes views in the state’s iconic “mighty five” national parks, with coal-fired power plants overwhelmingly contributing to haze pollution in the state and across the region. Their continued unchecked emissions impact public health, including contributing to heart attacks.

Once every decade, Utah has the opportunity to propose a state implementation plan (SIP) to the EPA to reduce haze pollution from some of its worst coal plants, which also rank among the worst sources of haze pollution in the region. Utah submitted its inadequate plan in May of 2022, which failed to include enforceable pollution reduction measures to restore visibility and air quality in national parks and, in fact, would allow these coal plants to increase emissions. With 97% of national parks suffering from significant or unsatisfactory levels of harm from air pollution, these emissions put national park sites and people who visit them at even further risk

“Some of the largest sources of pollution contributing to haze in our national parks have been off the hook for decades,” said Cory MacNulty, Campaign Director for the Southwest Region at the National Parks Conservation Association. The EPA’s draft decision to partially disapprove Utah’s regional haze plan is a step toward holding these major polluters accountable. These emissions cloud the stunning vistas and starry skies of national parks like Zion, Arches and Bryce Canyon. Visitors from around the world come to see these iconic landscapes and clear night skies, and they deserve better. We urge the EPA to use this once-in-a-decade chance to prioritize clear skies, healthy air and climate action in our national parks and for the people who cherish them.”

Now that EPA’s public comment period has ended, clean air advocates continue to urge the agency to finalize its partial disapproval and enact a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) to enforce stricter emissions regulations and hold polluters accountable.

EPA has until November 22, 2024 to issue its final rule based on a consent decree signed by the U.S. District Court in response to legal action by Earthjustice, Environment Integrity Project, NPCA and Sierra Club to include deadlines for the agency to take action on 32 states’ plans to reduce haze pollution in national parks and wilderness areas.

“Having grown up exploring Zion and Bryce Canyon, I’ve witnessed firsthand how smog has clouded our national parks,” said Phil Brueck, former Deputy Superintendent, Southeast Utah Group and Member, Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks. “This haze is now present year-round, diminishing the breathtaking views and signaling poor air quality that impacts public health and visitor experience. Our national parks should offer pristine vistas and clean air, not obscured horizons and smog-filled skies. We need a robust regional haze plan to cut emissions and restore the clarity that defines Utah’s national parks.”

“The Hunter and Huntington coal plants have emitted thousands of tons of pollution, unchecked – spoiling the views of the landscapes we love, threatening public health and worsening the climate crisis,” said Luis Miranda, Organizer for the Sierra Club in Utah. “The comments read today reflect a clear message from the public: it’s time for measurable pollution controls that will keep coal plants accountable so that clean air can be restored. The community call is clear – we need EPA to finalize its proposal to disapprove the inadequate that Utah submitted in 2022.”

“For decades, Utahns have been subjected to the dire health consequences of emissions from these polluting power plants which muddy our skies and clog our lungs,“ said Lexi Tuddenham, Executive Director of HEAL Utah. “The EPA’s draft partial disapproval of Utah’s haze plan opens the door for clear, quantifiable and substantive action that will create a healthier future and serve Utah’s people and the stunning landscapes that we call home.”

"The pollution from Hunter and Huntington have represented a health hazard to people throughout Southern Utah and beyond. The issue goes far beyond visibility—it’s about health. Regional haze isn’t just something that obscures our views; it’s made up of tiny particles like PM2.5, ozone and nitrogen oxides, which is a triple health threat, toxic in and of itself, but a precursor of both PM2.5 and ozone. To protect public health and the environment, the EPA must safeguard our air quality by disapproving of the inadequate regional haze plan that the state of Utah has submitted,” said Jonny Vasic, Executive Director for Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment.

###

About the National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.6 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.

About The Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person’s right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.

About Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment: Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment was formed in 2007 during one of Utah’s worst inversions. The organization consists of over 400 medical professionals and another 4,000 supporting members of the public. UPHE is dedicated to protecting the health and well-being of the citizens of Utah by promoting science-based health education and interventions that result in progressive and measurable improvements to the environment and our health. UPHE can be found at www.uphe.org.

About The Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah: The Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah (HEAL Utah) has been an environmental advocacy organization, watchdog and strategic influencer in Utah since 1999. By empowering grassroots advocates, using science-based solutions and developing common-sense policy, HEAL has a track record of tackling some of the biggest threats to Utah’s environment and public health – and succeeding. The organization focuses on clean air, energy and climate and radioactive waste. HEAL uses well-researched legislative, regulatory and individual responsibility approaches to create tangible change and then utilizes grassroots action to make it happen. www.healutah.org