New Hampshire seeks to exit Ozone Transport Region and end vehicle emissions testing

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed allowing New Hampshire to exit the Ozone Transport Region, a group of Northeastern states required to implement specific ozone reduction measures. If the proposal is finalized, the state could also drop its vehicle inspection and maintenance program from its federal air quality plan.

New Hampshire’s petition to leave the region and end emissions testing is based on data projecting that emissions of nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and carbon monoxide will decrease between 2022 and 2026, even without the inspection program. The state reported that all 12 of its air monitoring sites measured ozone levels at or below 65 parts per billion from 2022 to 2024, which is within federal limits.

The EPA is currently accepting public comments on these proposals until September 25. The state will only be permitted to leave the region and discontinue the program if the EPA finalizes both actions as proposed.