Montana's air pollution plan gets federal approval, setting a new baseline for haze

US environmental regulators have approved Montana's plan to reduce regional haze, which means the state's approach to air quality for the next decade is now officially accepted. This approval sets the specific targets and methods Montana must use to improve visibility in national parks and wilderness areas.

Every state must submit a plan to reduce air pollution that causes regional haze, especially near national parks. These plans dictate how much pollution power plants and industrial facilities can emit. This approval means Montana's current plan is locked in, and it will shape the state's air quality for years to come. It also means environmental groups will now focus on whether Montana actually meets these new targets.