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EPA Approves NJ's Revised Plan To Reduce Smog

Release Date: 04/13/1999
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(#99049) NEW YORK, N.Y. -- In a first step toward lifting the sanctions that New Jersey faces for its failure to put an automobile inspection and maintenance program in place, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved New Jersey's revised plan to combat smog and meet federal Clean Air Act requirements. The sanctions, which could inhibit first industrial growth and then threaten federal highway funding in New Jersey, will become effective on June 12 and December 12, 1999, respectively, if the State does not implement its vehicle inspection program. In December 1997, EPA revoked its approval of a prior smog reduction plan because it relied, in part, on pollution reductions from a vehicle inspection program designed to reduce pollution from vehicles by ensuring that they are well maintained.

The federal Clean Air Act requires that states, such as New Jersey, with smog pollution problems control emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to the formation of smog. EPA could not allow New Jersey to take credit for VOC emissions reductions from its vehicle inspection program because the program has been delayed and is still not in operation. When EPA revoked its approval and instituted sanctions, it required New Jersey to revise its smog reduction plan to fulfill the requirement to reduce VOC emissions by 15 percent without including its inspection and maintenance program. New Jersey's revised plan relies on pollution reduction programs already implemented in the state, which were not previously factored into pollution reduction calculations.

"This is a very important step in our efforts to fix inadequacies in New Jersey's clean air program," said Jeanne M. Fox, EPA Region 2 Administrator.
"Once we grant final approval of this plan and New Jersey gets its vehicle inspection program up and running, EPA can lift the sanctions that are threatening development and highway funds in New Jersey."

New Jersey's revised plan includes a 1998 program to make low emission vehicles available in New Jersey starting this year; a nationwide 1995 program to control emissions from non-road spark ignition engines, such as lawn mowers, chainsaws and weed trimmers; 1990 state landfill controls designed to control VOC emissions from landfills once they are closed; and federal regulations finalized in late 1998 to control emissions from paints used on buildings and automobiles. When combined, these and other programs prevent well over 10,000 tons of VOCs from polluting New Jersey's air each year.

Copies of EPA's approval notice, which describe New Jersey's plan, will be available, once published in the Federal Register, through the EPA web at www.epa.gov/region02/ .

For more information contact:
Mary Mears, Press Office
EPA Region 2
290 Broadway
NY, NY 10007-1866
Voice: 212-637-3669 FAX: 212-637-5046 E-Mail: mears.mary@epamail.epa.gov