South Carolina gets new rules for clearing regional haze, first update in over a decade

US environmental regulators have approved South Carolina's updated plan to reduce regional haze, which is air pollution that makes distant objects look blurry. This plan sets new limits on emissions from power plants and industrial facilities, aiming to improve visibility in national parks and wilderness areas.

For years, states have had to submit plans to clean up air pollution that drifts across state lines. This update means South Carolina must now meet stricter targets for industrial emissions. It also means other states downwind of South Carolina can expect clearer skies in their national parks.