EPA Proposes to Remove New Hampshire From Regional Air Quality Coordination
Official: Response to Clean Air Act Section 176A Petition From New Hampshire
Reading: Removing a state from the Ozone Transport Region reduces the scope of coordinated emission controls and interstate coordination that the CAA established to improve regional air quality.
If approved, this change would reduce coordination requirements for New Hampshire but may affect how New Jersey and other OTR states manage their own air quality.
In clear language
The EPA is considering removing New Hampshire from the Ozone Transport Region (OTR), a group of northeastern states that work together to reduce smog-forming pollution. New Hampshire argues it has met federal air quality standards and that controlling its emissions no longer helps neighboring states meet those standards. If approved, this change would reduce coordination requirements for New Hampshire but may affect how New Jersey and other OTR states manage their own air quality.
How does this affect you?
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Who does this affect?
- New Jersey residents and businesses, since changes to OTR membership may affect regional air pollution controls and interstate coordination
- New Hampshire residents and industries that currently must follow stricter emission controls as part of the OTR
- Other OTR states (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont) whose air quality depends on coordinated regional emission reductions
What can you do?
- Monitor EPA announcements and comment on the final rule if it affects your state's air quality standards
- Contact your New Jersey representatives if you have concerns about changes to regional air-quality cooperation
Timeline
- 2025-12-24: New Hampshire submitted the removal petition
- 2026-08-11: EPA published the proposed rule
No New Jersey official has a verified action on this policy yet.
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