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.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-13667, Minor New Source Review Program Air Permitting Public Participation Requirements for State Implementation Plans
The EPA wants to give states more freedom to decide how much public input is needed when approving small air pollution sources or changes. This means local air agencies can tailor public participation to fit their community’s needs while still protecting air quality. If you’re involved in air permits, watch for comment deadlines and possible virtual hearings this summer!
2026-13263, Revisions To Establish the Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) for Public Water Systems
The EPA is rolling out the sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) to check for new, sneaky chemicals in public drinking water. Big water systems serving 3,300+ people and some smaller ones will test for 30 different contaminants, including certain PFAS and pesticides, to keep our water safe. Comments and feedback are open until late August 2026, and the EPA will host fun online meetings to chat about the plan!
2026-12927, U.S. Ecology Nevada, Inc. High Mercury Subcategory Wastes Land Disposal Restrictions Variance
The EPA is giving U.S. Ecology Nevada a special green light to handle and dispose of high-mercury waste a bit differently than usual. This means mercury waste treated in Pennsylvania can now be safely sent to U.S. Ecology’s Nevada site for disposal under new rules starting July 27, 2026. This change helps protect people and the environment while keeping mercury waste management efficient and cost-effective.
2026-11047, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From Hazardous Waste Combustors: Residual Risk and Technology Review
The EPA just updated rules for places that burn hazardous waste, like incinerators and boilers, to keep the air safe and clean. They confirmed current standards work well but added new limits on harmful gases like hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen cyanide. These changes start June 3, 2026, and include easier electronic reporting and some new rules for startup and shutdown times—helping protect health without big costs.
2026-10641, Hazardous and Solid Waste Management System: Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals From Electric Utilities; Federal CCR Permit Program; Reopening of Comment Period
The EPA is reopening the comment period until June 29, 2026, for its proposed rule to create a federal permit program for safely disposing of coal ash from power plants. This affects electric utilities that handle coal waste and aims to improve environmental safety while possibly impacting their costs. Now’s the time for everyone to share their thoughts and help shape the rules!
2026-10387, Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons: Reconsideration of Certain Regulatory Requirements Promulgated Under the Technology Transitions Provisions of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020
The EPA is updating rules to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), chemicals used in cooling systems like refrigerators and air conditioners. These changes affect businesses in refrigeration, supermarkets, semiconductor manufacturing, and more, allowing some older equipment made before 2025 to keep running. The new rules kick in on July 27, 2026, helping industries transition smoothly while cutting harmful emissions.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-16330, Air Plan Approval; New Hampshire; Repeal of Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Program
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.
Next: 2026-16333, Amendment of Class D Airspace and Class E Airspace Over Tri-Cities, TN
This action proposes to amend Class D and Class E airspace over Tri-Cities, TN. This action would modify the dimensions of the Tri-Cities, TN Class D and Class E2 airspace to appropriately contain Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the Tri-Cities Airport. This action would also remove the Tri-Cities, TN Class E4 airspace, as it is no longer necessary. This action would also modify the Tri- Cities, TN Class E5 airspace to appropriately contain IFR operations at the airport. This action would also update verbiage in the Class D and Class E2 airspace legal descriptions to comply with current FAA guidance. This action would also update the airport name for Tri-Cities Airport in the Class D, Class E2, and Class E5 airspace legal descriptions.