Exemptions Lifted on Smog-Reduction Rules

Manteca, Merced and other small towns in the San Joaquin Valley that formerly were exempt from strict smog-reduction regulations now will face the same rules as the rest of the valley.

Small-town officials will implement Smog Check II regulations starting Wednesday to help the valley come closer to meeting federal air quality standards, said Tom Jordan, an air quality planner with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.

Under original state rules, only urban areas with populations of 100,000 or more were subject to Smog Check II, Jordan said. The law later was changed to add cities with populations of 50,000 or more.