The Environmental Protection Agency said it would move quickly to review New Hampshire’s petitions tied to its repeal of the vehicle inspection mandate, expecting a proposed decision by early summer and a final decision before year’s end. As reported by NH Journal, the announcement was a significant win for Republicans who pushed the repeal through the legislature.
NH Journal reported that repeal supporters had long predicted the Trump administration would resolve the conflict with federal policy.
During the debate over legislation ending New Hampshire’s unpopular vehicle inspection mandate, supporters insisted that the Trump administration’s EPA would quickly resolve any conflict with federal environmental policy.
NH Journal
The agency described its accelerated timeline in its own announcement, NH Journal reported.
“The EPA expects to share its proposed decision by early summer and issue a final decision before the end of the year, well ahead of schedule. This reduced timeline shows the Trump EPA’s focus on working closely with states to adhere to all statutory requirements and finish projects efficiently.”
NH Journal
According to NH Journal, the news landed as a boost for the lawmakers behind the repeal, even as they face other pressure.
It’s a big win for Republicans who pushed the law through the legislature, but now face pushback from a major vendor and a federal judge.
NH Journal
NH Journal explained the federalism question at the heart of the case.
Gordon-Darby went to court, not to demand that its contract be maintained, but to argue the state cannot eliminate its emissions-inspection program without first obtaining EPA approval for changes to a preexisting State Implementation Plan (SIP) regarding ozone regulations.
NH Journal
Read the full story at NH Journal.
