The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today the approval of Texas’s State Implementation Plan (SIP) to improve air quality in the San Antonio area by addressing vehicle emissions. The plan includes the implementation of vehicle inspection and maintenance requirements in Bexar County, a move aimed at reducing ozone-forming pollutants and ensuring compliance with federal air quality standards.
The approval aligns with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s commitment to improving air quality through timely processing of SIP revisions and fostering cooperative federalism with states.
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In 2022, the EPA reclassified the San Antonio area from marginal to moderate nonattainment of the 2015 ozone standard, which sets the threshold at 0.07 parts per million (70 parts per billion). This reclassification required Texas to revise its SIP to reduce emissions from vehicles, a significant contributor to ground-level ozone formation.
The approved revisions expand Texas’s existing vehicle inspection and maintenance program, mandating its implementation in Bexar County by November 7, 2026. The program will require annual on-board diagnostics testing for gasoline-powered vehicles between 2 and 24 years old, ensuring that emission control systems are functioning properly.
“The Clean Air Act lays the groundwork for one of EPA’s most important core responsibilities—to improve air quality for all Americans,” said Regional Administrator Scott Mason. “EPA will continue to work with the state of Texas to develop sensible plans for addressing air pollution and helping San Antonio meet air quality standards.”
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The approval of Texas’s SIP comes as part of the Trump EPA’s broader effort to address a backlog of unresolved State and Tribal Implementation Plans (TIPs). Yesterday, Administrator Zeldin announced the agency’s commitment to resolving the 685 unresolved SIPs and TIPs left by the Biden-Harris Administration, 322 of which were considered overdue.
“The Biden Administration’s failure to address this backlog left states and tribes in limbo,” said Zeldin. “Our goal is to clear this backlog as soon as possible and work collaboratively with states and tribes to ensure cleaner air for all Americans.”
Ground-level ozone, a key component of smog, is not emitted directly but forms when pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react in the presence of sunlight. These pollutants are primarily emitted by vehicles, power plants, industrial facilities, and other sources.
Breathing ozone can cause a range of health problems, particularly for individuals with asthma and other respiratory conditions. Elevated ozone levels can also harm sensitive ecosystems, including forests, parks, and wildlife refuges.
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The implementation of the vehicle inspection and maintenance program in Bexar County is a critical step toward reducing ozone levels and improving air quality in the San Antonio area. By identifying and repairing vehicles with malfunctioning emission control systems, the program aims to curb the release of harmful pollutants and help the region meet Clean Air Act requirements.
The EPA’s approval of Texas’s SIP underscores the agency’s dedication to working with states to address air quality challenges and protect public health. As the Trump administration continues to prioritize cooperative federalism, the resolution of the SIP backlog and the implementation of effective air quality plans remain key priorities.
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