- Judge blocked New Hampshire’s plan to end inspections this week.
- Gordon-Darby sued the state over Clean Air Act compliance rules.
- State requested EPA approval, but no decision has been issued yet.
New Hampshire drivers were ready to say goodbye to mandatory annual vehicle inspections. The state had announced that, starting January 31, the requirement would be dropped, sparing residents a yearly hassle and saving them some money in the process. But that plan hit a legal snag this week when a federal judge stepped in to put the brakes on, at least for now.
Read: New Hampshire Just Scrapped A Rule That Caught Cars Falling Apart
Judge Landya McCafferty issued a preliminary injunction blocking the state from eliminating its inspection program, just days before the policy was set to take effect. The ruling came swiftly, just one week after Gordon-Darby Holdings filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s decision.
The private company currently holds the contract to operate New Hampshire’s inspection system, giving it a direct financial stake in keeping the program alive.
EPA Approval Becomes the Key Issue
At the heart of the legal challenge is the Clean Air Act. Gordon-Darby’s suit argues that New Hampshire can’t dismantle the inspection program, which includes emissions testing, without first securing approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Eliminating the program without EPA consent, they claim, would place the state in violation of federal law.
As reported by local news outlet WMUR, the state has, in fact, asked the EPA for permission to end the inspections. However, no decision has been issued. Until that happens, the judge’s order effectively keeps the system in place, meaning drivers will still need to bring their cars in for an annual checkup beyond the January 31 cutoff.
The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office issued a brief response following the court’s decision. “We are reviewing the court’s decision and considering appropriate next steps,” the office said in a statement. “We note that the order addresses a preliminary matter and does not resolve the merits of the case. The state will be issuing further guidance for the public in the coming days.”
According to House Majority Leader Jason Osborne, a legislative response will be ready next week, aiming to satisfy the court. “We’re not going to allow a rogue judge and a greedy out-of-state corporation to subvert the will of the people,” he said.
The Money Behind the Dispute
For Gordon-Darby, the issue isn’t just legal, it’s existential. The company takes a cut from every vehicle inspection performed in the state. According to its lawsuit, ending the program would force it to shut down its New Hampshire operations entirely and lay off its staff.
