North Carolina law may end emissions testing for 26 counties

RALEIGH, N.C. — Emissions testing during vehicle inspections in North Carolina is likely to end in 26 counties thanks to a new law which has the support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality says the EPA signed the proposed rule on July 16. It could take up to five months before drivers see the changes because several more steps are required before the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles can implement the new rule.

Lawmakers passed the changes last year as part of a Senate bill, and Gov., Roy Cooper signed it into law last spring.

The push follows changes from 2015 that ended North Carolina emissions tests for cars less than three years old and with fewer than 70,000 miles.

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Associated Press