DAQ accepting public comments on emissions plan that could affect New Hanover County drivers
RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — Some changes to air quality standards could affect New Hanover County drivers.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is accepting public comments on draft revisions to the Inspection & Maintenance State Implementation Plan.
If approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, the revisions would remove the requirement for vehicle emissions inspections in 18 North Carolina counties: Alamance, Buncombe, Cabarrus, Cumberland, Davidson, Durham, Forsyth, Franklin, Gaston, Guilford, Iredell, Johnston, Lincoln, New Hanover, Randolph, Rowan, Union and Wake counties.
It would limit the vehicles subject to inspections in Mecklenburg County.
The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles requires vehicles in all 100 counties to undergo annual safety inspections. The revisions to the emissions inspections would not change the requirement for safety inspections.
Before these changes to the emissions program can be implemented in North Carolina, DAQ must modify its Inspection & Maintenance State Implementation Plan and demonstrate that the state can still meet federal air quality standards with these changes.
A law passed in 2023 by the North Carolina General Assembly required DAQ to complete and submit the revised Plan to EPA by October 3, 2024. EPA would then need to approve the revised Plan prior to the revisions taking effect.
Related documents are posted to the Division’s website. The public is invited to review the Division’s analysis and draft revisions to the State Implementation Plan and submit comments. Public comments will be accepted through Sept. 4.
A hybrid public hearing will be held in Raleigh on Sept. 4 if the Division receives a request to hold such a hearing on or before Aug. 16. If the Division does not receive a request to hold a public hearing by this date, the public hearing will be cancelled. More information is in the public notice.
Comments and requests for a public hearing can be made via email to daq.publiccomments@deq.nc.gov (please type “Remove 19 Counties from IM Program” in the subject line) or left via voicemail by calling 919-707-8429.
Current emissions inspection requirements will remain in place until the approval process is complete and the effective date is announced by the state of North Carolina.
More information about the Inspection & Maintenance Program is on DAQ’s website.
