EPA OKs NH Scrapping Car Smog Checks—Clean Air Win?
Published Date: 8/11/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to conditionally approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of New Hampshire on December 24, 2025, through the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES). The proposed revision would remove the Statewide motor vehicle inspection and maintenance (I/M) program as an active measure, which was previously approved into the SIP to address emissions from on-road sources. In accordance with plan revision requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA), the SIP submittal contains a demonstration that the removal of the I/M program will not interfere with New Hampshire's compliance with any National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) or with any applicable requirement of the CAA. In a letter to the EPA, NHDES committed to submitting an additional SIP revision within one year of a final conditional approval to address maintenance plan requirements.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New Hampshire repeals vehicle emissions checks
New Hampshire enacted HB2 to repeal the statewide motor vehicle inspection and maintenance (I/M) program effective January 31, 2026, and the State submitted a SIP revision on December 24, 2025 asking EPA to remove the I/M program as an active SIP measure. The EPA published a proposed conditional approval on August 11, 2026 and is taking public comments through September 25, 2026.
I/M kept as contingency for southern NH
Although New Hampshire seeks to remove the I/M program as an active SIP measure, the State committed (in a June 11, 2026 supplement) to submit a SIP revision within one year of a final conditional approval to place the I/M program on the list of potential contingency measures for the 1997 ozone maintenance area in southern New Hampshire. If the State does not submit that follow-up SIP within one year of final conditional approval, the EPA says the conditional approval will convert to a disapproval automatically.
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