NH so clean, EPA lets it skip extra pollution policing
Published Date: 8/11/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is planning to say yes to New Hampshire’s request to leave the Ozone Transport Region because the state is doing a great job keeping its air clean. This change means New Hampshire won’t have to follow some extra pollution rules that don’t really help nearby areas. People can share their thoughts by September 25, 2026, and there’s a virtual hearing on August 26, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
OTR Rules Would No Longer Apply to New Hampshire
The EPA is proposing to remove New Hampshire from the Ozone Transport Region (OTR). If removed, New Hampshire would no longer be subject to the OTR controls required by Clean Air Act section 184(b), including statewide enhanced vehicle inspection-and-maintenance (I/M) requirements, statewide RACT and nonattainment New Source Review for major VOC sources (major = sources emitting or with potential to emit at least 50 tons per year of VOCs), Stage II gasoline refueling vapor recovery requirements, and equivalent NOX controls under section 182(f).
New Hampshire Seeks to Drop Vehicle I/M Program
New Hampshire has committed to keep existing OTR control measures in its State Implementation Plan (SIP) except it requests to remove the State's vehicle inspection-and-maintenance (I/M) program from the SIP. The I/M SIP revision is being considered separately by the EPA (see docket EPA-R01-OAR-2026-2147) and relates directly to vehicle inspection rules in New Hampshire.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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