§ 136-200.4.  Additional requirements for metropolitan planning organizations located in nonattainment areas.

(a) Consultation and Single Conformity Plan Required. - When an area of the State is designated as non-attainment under the federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. § 7401, et seq.) all metropolitan planning organizations with at least twenty-five percent (25%) of their area of jurisdiction located within the boundaries of the nonattainment area shall consult on appropriate emissions reduction strategies and shall adopt a single, unified plan for achieving conformity. The strategies set forth in the unified plan shall be incorporated by each affected metropolitan planning organization into its respective long range transportation plan developed pursuant to 23 U.S.C. § 134(g).

(b) Effect of Failure to Adopt Required Plan. - If a metropolitan planning organization does not comply with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section within one year after designation of at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the metropolitan planning organization's area of jurisdiction as nonattainment under the federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. § 7401, et seq.), the Department shall not allocate any of the following funds to projects within the metropolitan planning organization's area of jurisdiction:

(1) One hundred percent (100%) State-funded road construction funds.

(2) State matching funds for any road construction or transit capital project.

(3) Federal congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program funds.

(c) Mandatory Evaluation and Report. - Each metropolitan planning organization located in whole or in part in areas designated as nonattainment under the federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.) shall complete the evaluation process provided for in G.S. 136-200.2 and submit its findings and recommendations to the Department of Transportation within one year of the effective date of designation as nonattainment. A metropolitan planning organization may request and be granted by the Department an extension if the metropolitan planning organization can show cause for the extension. Extensions shall be granted in no more than one year increments. (2000-80, s. 7.)