EPA moves to end New Hampshire's vehicle emissions inspection program

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency disclosed two rule changes that would grant New Hampshire’s petition to leave the Ozone Transport Region and conditionally approve the termination of its Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance program. Administrator Lee Zeldin said the agency is accelerating the review to honor a promise of swift action, deviating from the standard 18-month timeline. New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella praised the move as aligning federal air-quality obligations with state statutes.

The state’s effort follows a court ruling that upheld its decision to scrap the safety and emissions inspection mandate, a policy eliminated in a budget signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte. A Kentucky-based emissions-testing firm led by Gordon Darby had sued to block the repeal but later withdrew the case. A separate lawsuit by a resident alleging health impacts also remains pending, though officials assert the state will continue meeting Clean Air Act standards without the inspection program.