NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION<\/b>
\nEnvironmental Regulation
\nDivision of Air Quality
\nBureau of Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance<\/p>\n
Notice of Rule Proposal<\/strong> Public Notice<\/b> Take notice that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (Department) is proposing amendments and new rules to implement changes to New Jersey\u2019s motor vehicle Inspection and Maintenance (I\/M) program.\u00a0 This proposal also constitutes a proposed revision to the State\u2019s I\/M State Implementation Plan (SIP); a copy of the proposal has been forwarded to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).\u00a0\u00a0 A statement of the substance of the proposal follows:<\/p>\n The proposed rules will substantially amend the inspection requirements, standards and test procedures for both gasoline and diesel vehicles.\u00a0 These amendments are required to align Department regulations with the new inspection program design as agreed upon by the Department, the Motor Vehicle Commission, Treasury and the Office of Information Technology. The Department is proposing new rules and rule amendments to N.J.A.C. 7:27-14, 7:27-15, 7:27B-4 and 7:27B-5 that implement these changes to the I\/M program.\u00a0 The Department\u2019s rulemaking coordinates with changes to the I\/M laws and changes by the Motor Vehicle Commission \u00a0to its I\/M rules.<\/p>\n These changes include the following:<\/p>\n In addition to the proposed amendments and new rules, the SIP revision includes an evaluation of the emission impacts of the proposed I\/M program changes. The results indicate that there is no significant difference between the existing and proposed I\/M programs in addressing the emissions of ozone precursors (VOCs and NOx).\u00a0 The proposed changes to the I\/M program do not compromise the State\u2019s efforts to meet and\/or maintain National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone or carbon monoxide. This SIP revision also revises the State’s enhanced I\/M performance standard modeling to account for the proposed I\/M program changes. This SIP revision shows that the State’s proposed enhanced I\/M program meets the applicable USEPA performance standard.<\/p>\n In an effort to better align and coordinate the Department\u2019s enforcement of its anti-idling provisions for gasoline vehicles with the enforcement of its anti-idling provisions for diesel vehicles, the Department will amend the idling exemptions for gasoline vehicles and associated administrative penalties at N.J.A.C. 7:27A to substantially match, where appropriate, those exemptions and penalties already adopted for diesel vehicles. This will not fundamentally alter the existing three-minute idling standard, but will clarify the exemptions and revise the penalties.<\/p>\n The proposal is scheduled to be published in the New Jersey Register dated April 20, 2009<\/strong>.\u00a0 Copies of the Department\u2019s proposal<\/a>(PDF)<\/span> are available from the Department\u2019s web site, the Department\u2019s Public Information Center at 401 E. State Street in Trenton, the Department\u2019s Regional Enforcement Offices, a number of public libraries throughout the State, and, for a fee, LexisNexis Customer Service at (800)223-1944 or https:\/\/www.lexisnexis.com\/hottopics\/njoal\/<\/a>.\u00a0 A free copy of the proposal is also available for viewing from Lexis-Nexis at https:\/\/www.lexisnexis.com\/hottopics\/njoal\/<\/a>.\u00a0 For more information on obtaining copies, please contact:<\/p>\n
\nN.J.A.C. 7:27-14, 7:27-15, 7:27A-3, 7:27B-4, and 7:27B-5<\/p>\n
\nProposed Revisions to New Jersey’s State Implementation Plan Addressing New Jersey\u2019s Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Program<\/p>\n\n