EPA Continues to Expedite New Hampshire’s Clean Air Act Requests with Two Proposed Actions
WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed two actions to grant New Hampshire’s petition to withdraw from the Ozone Transport Region (OTR), and to conditionally approve the state’s request to remove its Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) program from the State Implementation Plan (SIP). These proposed actions further EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s commitment to cooperative federalism and the promise made to New Hampshire to expeditiously review these submissions ahead of the typical 18-month timeline. The Trump EPA understands states are best positioned to understand the needs of their local communities and therefore should be given the flexibility to implement air quality programs within the scope of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
“EPA is committed to working collaboratively with states to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens while maintaining strong environmental protections and following our statutory obligations. This is the best way to provide clean air for all Americans,” said EPA Administrator Zeldin. “The agency will continue to move through the rulemaking process efficiently and in accordance with the Clean Air Act.”
“EPA is grateful for New Hampshire’s partnership as we work together to protect human health and the environment,” said EPA Regional Administrator Mark Sanborn. “Commonsense rulemaking is essential to advancing air quality across New England. We look forward to receiving the public input at this stage of the review process.”
In June 2025, New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte signed a law repealing the state’s Vehicle Emissions I/M program, including the emissions testing program in its entirety. In December 2025, New Hampshire asked EPA to approve a change to its SIP that would remove the state’s vehicle I/M program. Currently, New Hampshire is part of the OTR, a group of northeastern states required to include ozone-reduction measures in their SIPs, even if they already meet federal ozone standards. Because of this, New Hampshire’s current SIP includes the I/M program. Under the CAA, the state must get EPA approval before ending the I/M program by showing that doing so will not interfere with the state meeting national air quality standards. To do that, New Hampshire must first be removed from the OTR.
If both of today’s actions are finalized as proposed, New Hampshire will be removed from the OTR, and the I/M program will be removed from the state’s SIP.
Under the CAA, EPA has up to 18 months to decide on state petitions. The agency understands the importance of New Hampshire’s submissions and is working to issue a final decision before the end of the year. This reduced timeline shows the Trump EPA’s focus on working closely with states to adhere to all statutory requirements and finish projects efficiently while protecting human health and the environment. EPA will hold separate 45 day public comment periods on both actions and will hold a public hearing on the proposed action to withdraw New Hampshire from the OTR.
The proposed actions are available at: https://www.epa.gov/nh/new-hampshire-clean-air-act-176a-petition-im-program-sip-revision