EPA Announces Approval of South Carolina’s Regional Haze Plan to Improve Visibility in Protected Areas 

ATLANTA (December 15, 2025) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the agency’s approval of South Carolina’s Second Planning Period Regional Haze State Implementation Plan (SIP) after determining the state has met all statutory and regulatory requirements under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Regional Haze Rule (RHR). Through the implementation of the SIP, South Carolina will make significant progress to improve “natural visibility” conditions in national parks and protected areas, such as Cape Romain Wilderness Area north of Charleston. 

“This plan represents years of work by EPA, South Carolina, and partner agencies to accomplish the shared goal of clean air and improved visibility,” said EPA Regional Administrator Kevin McOmber. “EPA reviewed air quality modeling, monitoring data, and emissions information and concluded that South Carolina and the Southeast region are exceeding their timelines to make progress toward natural visibility in national parks and wilderness areas.”  

“Protecting South Carolina’s natural treasures is an issue close to those who call the Palmetto State home,” said U.S. Senator Tim Scott. “This plan helps protect the recreational and economic benefits of the communities and national parks we’re grateful to call our own.” 

"EPA's approval of South Carolina's Regional Haze State Implementation Plan showcases the combined efforts of federal, state and local partners to develop a proactive, long-term strategy for reducing the air pollutants that contribute to haze and poor visibility," said South Carolina Department of Environmental Services Director Myra Reece. "We're proud of the collaborative efforts that developed this plan and the long-reaching impacts it will have on improving air quality and supporting South Carolina's natural beauty."  

In approving this plan, EPA affirms that South Carolina is ahead of its timeline to improve visibility conditions. With this action, EPA and South Carolina document the projected reduction in emission of sulfur dioxide by 75% and nitrogen oxide by 54% between 2011 and 2028. 

Earlier this year, EPA issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM), for the third planning period of the regional haze plan, to solicit information from the public to assist in the development of regulatory changes on the implementation and structure of the CAA’s RHR. The agency is reviewing implementation of the program to ensure it aligns with Congressional intent, is based on current scientific information, and reflects recent improvements in air quality.  The ANPRM will not impose any requirements but reflects EPA’s commitment to cooperative federalism—pillar three of the Powering the Great American Comeback initiative. 

Background  

The CAA and the RHR call for states to work with EPA to develop and implement air quality protection plans to reduce pollution contributing to visibility impairment in 156 national parks and wilderness areas. Each state is required to submit a long-term strategy for making reasonable progress toward remedying any existing and preventing any future human-made visibility impairments in protected areas.   

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