Smog Checks Save San Joaquin Valley Air – Approved?
Published Date: 11/14/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is proposing to approve California’s plan to keep the air cleaner in the San Joaquin Valley by sticking to smog check rules for 1997 ozone pollution standards. This means California has met its promise to have backup plans ready if air quality slips. People living and working in the Valley can expect continued efforts to reduce smog without new costly changes right now.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Failure Finding Triggered Local Alternative Fee Rule
EPA’s September 25, 2025 finding that the San Joaquin Valley failed to attain the 1997 ozone standard triggered the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District’s alternative fee rule (District Rule 3171), which the District adopted to meet SIP requirements under CAA sections 182(d)(3) and 185. This rule may result in fees tied to the area’s nonattainment status.
Smog Check Exemption Shortened If Triggered
If EPA finds the San Joaquin Valley failed to meet ozone rules, California’s Smog Check Contingency Measure would shrink the new-vehicle testing exemption from eight model years to seven model years in that nonattainment area. EPA made a finding of failure to attain the 1997 ozone standard on September 25, 2025, and CARB is in the process of implementing the Smog Check Contingency Measure for the San Joaquin Valley.
Smog Check Gives Small Emissions Cuts
CARB estimates that implementing the Smog Check Contingency Measure in the San Joaquin Valley would cut about 0.112 tons per day (tpd) of NOX and 0.056 tpd of VOC in summertime conditions. CARB and EPA estimate one year’s worth of progress (OYW) for the area as multiple tons per day, and the Smog Check measure provides roughly one to two percent of that recommended OYW of progress.
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