CMAQ and Alternative Fuel Vehicle Projects

What is CMAQ?

The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program provides a flexible funding source for state and local governments to fund transportation projects and programs to help meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and its amendments. CMAQ money supports transportation projects that reduce mobile source emissions in areas designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as in nonattainment or maintenance of national ambient air quality standards. Eligible activities include transit improvements, travel demand management strategies, traffic flow improvements, and public fleet conversions to cleaner fuels, among others.

What are the Key CMAQ Funding Requirements?

CMAQ funds must be invested in a state's nonattainment or maintenance area(s). The money must be spent on projects that reduce ozone (O3) precursors – volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides(NOx) – carbon monoxide (CO), or particulate matter (PM) from transportation sources. States without nonattainment or maintenance areas may use their CMAQ funds for projects eligible under the CMAQ or Surface Transportation Programs anywhere in the state. All CMAQ projects must come from a transportation plan and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The state transportation department is responsible for distributing CMAQ funds.

All projects must conform to established CMAQ guidance. The federal share for most CMAQ-eligible projects is 80 percent. The CMAQ program operates on a reimbursable basis, so funds are not provided until work is completed.

How Does the Use of Alternative Fuels Reduce Vehicle Emissions?

Some alternative fuels are cleaner burning than gasoline and diesel and produce fewer tailpipe emissions. For example, a light-duty natural gas vehicle can produce 80 percent fewer tailpipe emissions than a gasoline vehicle. A light-duty propane vehicle can produce 60 percent fewer harmful emissions than its gasoline counterpart. Electric Vehicles (EVs) are classified as zero emission vehicles because they produce no tailpipe or evaporative emissions; however electricity generation usually creates emissions.

For heavy-duty vehicles, emission reductions are also possible. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) heavy-duty vehicles can emit less NOx than those fueled with conventional fuel. However, hydrocarbon emissions may slightly increase.

The number of new vehicles designed for use with alternative fuels constitutes a relatively small percentage of the overall number of vehicles manufactured for use in the United States.

CMAQ and Alternative Fuel Vehicle Conversion Projects

Fleet conversions no longer need to be specifically identified or included in the State Implementation Plan (SIP), or maintenance plan, to be eligible for CMAQ funding. However, State DOTs and MPOs should coordinate with their air quality agencies before funding these projects. The proposal for CMAQ funding must demonstrate that the proposed conversion would reduce the pollutants causing the air quality violation.

Pierce Transit in Tacoma, Washington is "commuting without polluting" by running transit buses on clean compressed natural gas. Photograph courtesy of Pierce Transit (epartment of Energy/National Renewable Energy Laboratory).

Can CMAQ Funds Be Used to Establish Refueling Sites and Infrastructure?

Establishment of Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFV) refueling facilities and related other infrastructure is eligible for funding if the facility is publicly owned or leased. However, if private AFV stations are reasonable accessible, CMAQ funds may not be used to fund publicly-owned refueling stations.

CMAQ and Public-Private Partnerships in AFV Projects

Because most AFV projects are undertaken in partnership with the private sector, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century contained special provisions for alternative fuel projects that are part of a public-private partnership. For purchase of privately owned vehicles or fleets using alternative fuels, CMAQ funds may be used for only the incremental cost of an AFV compared to a conventionally-fueled vehicle. Furthermore, if other federal funds are used for vehicle purchase, such funds must be applied to the incremental cost before CMAQ funds are applied.

What is the Track Record for Using CMAQ Funds to Support AFV programs?

As of 2001, about $674 million in CMAQ funds have been used for AFV projects, representing a little more than five percent of all CMAQ obligations. The following table shows total expenditures by state (in thousands) on AFV projects for FY 2001.

Are There Other Reasons to Use AFVs?

Alternative Fuel Vehicles Provide States and Metropolitan Planning Organizations an Opportunity to be Environmental Role Models. Use of AFVs by high-profile fleets increases public awareness and approval of alternative fuels. This is especially true for public transit and school districts, where low emissions are very important. Operators of private delivery fleets often publicize their use of alternative fuels, even if they are only being tested.

Alternative Fuel Vehicles Can Be Purchased for the Same Price as Conventional Vehicles. Many times, the incremental cost of purchasing an AFV is offset by federal and state incentives and rebates offered by the auto manufacturers.

CMAQ and the U.S. DOE's Clean Cities Program

Fueling the XCELLSIS fuel cell bus with compressed hydrogen. Photograph courtesy of Bob Barnitt, eTIAX LLC. (Department of Energy/National Renewable Energy Laboratory).

Clean Cities is a voluntary, public-private partnership program coordinated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The program is designed to reduce dependence on imported oil, improve local air quality, and stimulate local economies by increasing the use of alternative fuels and AFVs. Clean Cities creates an effective plan, implemented at the local level, for developing a sustainable, nationwide alternative fuels market. Today, more than 80 cities or city coalitions are members of the Clean Cities Program, and many of them use CMAQ funds for numerous alternative fuel projects.

For more information on the Clean Cities Program, visit the DOE Web site at:
www1.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/index.html

For more information, please contact:
U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration
Office of Natural and Human Environment
400 7th Street, S.W., Room 3240
Washington, D.C. 20590; 202-366-6724
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/cmaqpgs/

For more information on mass transit systems, please visit the FTA Web site at: http://www.fta.dot.gov/

Notice

This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for use of the information contained in this document. This report does not constitute a standard, specification or regulation.

Quality Assurance Statement

The Federal Highway Administration provides high quality information to serve Government, industry, and the public in a manner that promotes public understanding. Standards and policies are used to ensure and maximize the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of its information. FHWA periodically reviews quality issues and adjusts its programs and processes to ensure continuous quality improvement.

FHWA-EP-05-017
HEP-10-05(4M)E

October 2005