EPA Tweaks Future Smog Math for San Joaquin Valley
Published Date: 7/9/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA wants to update the pollution limits for cars in California’s San Joaquin Valley to cleaner, more accurate numbers for 2026, 2029, and 2031. This change affects everyone in the area by helping keep the air fresher and healthier. If approved, these new rules will replace old ones and make sure the valley meets air quality goals on time, with no extra costs expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New cleaner car pollution limits for SJV
The EPA is proposing to approve updated motor-vehicle emissions budgets for nitrogen oxides (NOX) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) for the San Joaquin Valley for the years 2026, 2029, and 2031. The revised regional NOX budgets total 41.1 tpsd (tons per average summer day) in 2026, 38.4 tpsd in 2029, and 37.5 tpsd in 2031—reductions of 13.4, 13.7, and 13.3 tpsd respectively compared to the existing budgets. The revised regional VOC totals are 19.4 tpsd in 2026, 17.1 tpsd in 2029, and 15.8 tpsd in 2031, with net regional VOC reductions versus the previous budgets. The rule applies to all subareas of the San Joaquin Valley and the EPA states no extra costs are expected if these budgets are approved.
Transportation plans must use the new budgets
If the EPA finalizes approval, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in the San Joaquin Valley and the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration must use the revised 2026/2029/2031 NOX and VOC budgets when making transportation conformity determinations for future transportation plans and TIPs. CARB requested the approval be limited so the approved budgets can be superseded once the EPA finds subsequent budgets adequate.
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