State won't force inspections while feds review legislation that abolishes them

The Trump administration has promised to fast-track its ruling on whether motor vehicle inspections in the Granite State can be abolished.
"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," Lee Zeldin, EPA head, said in a statement on Monday.
Zeldin has said that New Hampshire will know whether the option to withdraw from the auto inspection program is approved by the end of the year, a regulatory process that usually takes 18 months.
Zeldin said that the new timeframe was part of a "direct reflection of cooperative federalism."

Executive Councilor John Stephen, R-Manchester, hailed the EPA's response.
"I thank Administrator Zeldin and the EPA for respecting the will of New Hampshire's elected officials," he said on Monday. "Today's EPA announcement makes clear the proper path forward is cooperative federalism through the federal approval process, not a federal court commandeering state officials to administer a program that no longer exists."
Gordon-Darby, Inc. manages the inspection program in New Hampshire and sued the state over alleged violations of the Clean Air Act.

Federal District Judge Landya McCafferty issued the preliminary injunction blocking New Hampshire from ending its mandatory vehicle inspection program, which was scheduled for Jan. 31. The ruling seeks to keep the program in place until the EPA reviews the state's legislation regarding the discontinuance of inspections.
While both the legal case and the regulatory review play out, law enforcement in New Hampshire are not enforcing vehicle inspection requirements."
"This reduced timeline shows the Trump EPA's focus on working closely with states to adhere to all statutory requirements and finish projects efficiently," the EPA's statement said.