CMAQ: New Standards and Legislation, Project Eligibility, Tracking System

1. CMAQ: New Standards and Legislation, Project Eligibility,Tracking System FHWA Environmental Conference June 29, 2004

2. CMAQ Background • Created by ISTEA of ’91, reauthorized by TEA-21, expected to continue • Focus is transportation projects in NA/M areas that reduce emissions • Funds apportioned by weighted population • To date, $13 billion invested--15K projects

3. CMAQ Today • CMAQ $$$s are apportioned based on severity of the one-hour ozone nonattainment classification • Carbon monoxide nonattainment areas are included in the formula • Maintenance areas for both pollutants also are included

4. NAAQS & New Legislation • New standards will affect CMAQ inputs… • …but the transportation bill holds the formula (see 23 USC 104)!! • SAFETEA includes new 8-hr. ozone, PM2.5 areas in the CMAQ formula • TEA-21, House bill do not recognize new NAAQS

5. CMAQ & 8-Hour Ozone • No counties removed from CMAQ apportionment formula—in the short term • FY06—old 1-hr. ozone std. is revoked, only 8-hour ozone remains in nonattainment for CMAQ • Areas that are NA/M for other pollutants, e.g. CO, still receive CMAQ funding

6. SAFETEA & New Pollutants • FY 05 apportionment will include newly designated ozone areas at a 1.0 value • New PM counties will receive a value of 1.2 in the apportionment formula • Multiple pollutants earn an extra weighting • Old ozone factors—marginal to extreme—will take precedence for FY 05

7. Early Action Compacts • No statutory basis for including EACs in apportionment—nonattainment is deferred • No draft bill brings EACs into the formula • Exception is EACs that are one-hour ozone maintenance—they remain in maintenance

8. CMAQ Outside the Formula • Areas no longer identified as NA or maintenance are out of the formula and ineligible for CMAQ investment • Existing CMAQ guidance features some flexibility and transition for these areas • Updated guidance is under discussion

9. More Areas, More Funding?? • More than 120 new counties will be nonattainment for 8-hour ozone • More than 100 counties projected to be nonattainment for fine PM • SAFETEA increases CMAQ, total program $8.9 billion—a gradual rise

10. CMAQ Eligibility • Idle Reduction projects • Advanced TSE (IdleAire), Shorepower • What can CMAQ fund? • Interstate ROW (SAFETEA change) • Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) • Emissions reductions and conformity credit

11. CMAQ Eligibility • Freight projects (intermodal) • Rail / truck / barge • Diesel Retrofit projects • On-road: Freight and buses • Off-road: construction equipment • Conformity credit issue • School Buses & FTA

12. CMAQ Eligibility • Public Private Partnerships • Examples • Match requirements • Legally enforceable document • Work out final disposition of assets • 50/50 match

13. Alternative Fuels • Biodiesel Projects • Yes, but probably not in NOx-limited areas • Hybrids

14. Other • Operating costs-3 year limit • Vehicle lease can be considered capital cost • Increased emphasis on meeting ADA requirements

15. CMAQ Tracking System

16. CMAQ Tracking System • Upload vs. entering individual projects • Benefits of using the system • Accelerate reporting process • Generates reports • Spreadsheet

17. CMAQ Tracking System