The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on June 2025 that it is expediting its review of two Clean Air Act submissions from New Hampshire, which seek to repeal the state's vehicle inspection and maintenance program and remove the state from the Ozone Transport Region.
New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte signed a law in June 2025 repealing the state's Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance program, including emissions testing in its entirety. In December 2025, New Hampshire requested EPA approval to change its State Implementation Plan to reflect this repeal. The state must first be removed from the Ozone Transport Region before implementing the new law, as membership in this group requires states to include ozone-reduction measures in their plans even if they already meet federal standards.
EPA typically has up to 18 months to decide on such petitions but received New Hampshire's requests on December 24, 2025, and plans to move faster than usual. The agency expects to share a proposed decision by early summer and issue a final decision before year's end. Public input will be sought before any final determination is made.
"This process is a direct reflection of cooperative federalism based on New Hampshire's needs. EPA is working at record speed with the state to ensure all decisions are made in accordance with requirements under the Clean Air Act and to provide the people of New Hampshire relief from burdensome regulations," said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. "The Trump EPA firmly believes that collaborating with our state air partners is the best way to deliver results and ensure clean air for all Americans."
"New Hampshire is a valued partner in protecting air quality across New England," said EPA Regional Administrator Mark Sanborn. "We will continue to work with all New England states to ensure EPA meets our mission of protecting human health and the environment," according to the official roster page.
