# Presentation: 671116

## The CMAQ ProgramCurrent Reauthorization Issues

*Mike Savonis*
*Air Quality Team Leader*
*FHWA, 2/4/02*

## CMAQ Overview

- $14.1 billion program under ISTEA and TEA-21
- minimum guarantee could add $200M / year (‘98 - ’03)
- Funds transportation projects and programs to help achieve and maintain NAAQS for Ozone, CO, and PM-10
- Apportioned to States based on:
- population in ozone and CO nonattainment areas; and
- severity of the air quality problem
- all States guaranteed a 0.5% minimum apportionment
- Jointly administered by FHWA and FTA in consultation with EPA

## CMAQ Authorization Levels

**ISTEA**

**TEA-21**

## Obligation Rates for F-Aid Programs(as of September 30, 2001)

| Program | Total Available ($B) | Unobligated ($B) | Obligation Rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Interstate Maintenance | $30.0 | $2.1 | 92.9% |
| NHS | $41.3 | $3.1 | 92.6% |
| STP | $63.4 | $6.9 | 89.1% |
| Bridge | $41.6 | $5.2 | 87.5% |
| CMAQ | $11.7 | $2.2 | 81.6% |
| TOTAL | $187.9 | $19.5 | 89.6% |

## CMAQ Funding by Project Type (FY 1992-1998) 

## CMAQ:  Effectiveness in Reducing Emissions

- 89% show less than 100 kg/day reductions
- Nearly 50% show reductions of only 5 kg/day or less
- Some CMAQ projects, such as I/M programs, demonstrate greater emissions reduction potential
- Small emissions reductions are attributable to relative size of the transportation network

## CMAQ and Creativity:  Examples

- Station Cars/ Car Sharing
- Boston, Seattle
- Telecommuting
- DC
- Intermodal Freight
- Ohio, Maine, NYC
- Fuel Cell Buses
- Chicago
- New Fuels
- Houston, Atlanta, LA, etc.

- ITS – Transit and Road
- Everywhere
- Public-Pvt. Partnerships
- Jersey City, Chicago, Atlanta
- Parking Cash Out
- Glendale
- I/M & Remote Sensing
- WI, NY, DC, IN, IL, NJ
- Transit-Oriented Dev.
- Portland, Minneapolis

## Reauthorization: Big Picture

- TEA-21 sunsets September 30, 2003
- Administration’s bill to Congress in early 2003
- Congressional hearings and deliberations in ’04
- SEPW hearing on AQ planned
- “Evolutionary” not “revolutionary”
- No big increases in funding
- ISTEA and TEA-21 increased funds greatly
- $5 billion less than planned in ’03
- How long will TEA-3 be?

## CMAQ:  Overview of Issues

- Use of CMAQ $ outside of NA and Mtce. Areas
- CMAQ and New Air Quality Standards
- Use of CMAQ Funds for Operations
- CMAQ Funds and Emissions Trading
- AQ and CM
- ILEVs and HOV Lanes
- TEA-21 and New NAAQS

## Issue 1:  CMAQ Outside of NA and Mtce. Areas

- Issue is not new:  intercity passenger rail requests
- Decision announced in Federal Register, 1/16/02
- Next Round – Freight
- Major change in focus
- CMAQ has been for local purposes
- Enhanced State role
- Was CMAQ meant for multi-State purposes?

## Issue 2:  CMAQ and New NAAQS

- New O3 and PM 2.5 designations possible during next Act
- CMAQ funding has been based on AQ need
- Many new areas could affect States’ funding
- PM has never been a part of CMAQ formula
- What about PM10?
- Mitigation strategies?

## Issue 3:  Routine Operating Assistance

- New recognition of “operations”/ need for funding
- ITS (traffic management, incident management, etc.)
- Reduced federal funding for transit operations
- Only 37% of transit costs covered by fare
- $14 billion not covered
- Traffic ops costs substantial

## Issue 4:  CMAQ and trading

- Can credit generated from CMAQ/highway funds go to stationary sources?
- Can emission credit be purchased to make conformity?
- Possible low cost credit
- Does this benefit transportation?

## Issue 5:  CM vs. AQ

- Environmental community has concerns over flow improvements
- May ignore AQ benefit
- Transportation community sees marginal AQ benefit
- May ignore CM benefit
- Congress concerned about program benefits
- Issue is misunderstood, based on preconceptions and political position
- Mobile6 and decreased accelerations imply that CM yields AQ
- Meeting travel demand is the real question

## Additional Issue 1:  ILEVs and HOVs

- TEA-21 allowed ILEVs onto HOV lanes regardless of occupancy
- Largely focused on EV and CNG
- With 2004 implementation of Tier II, does allowance still make sense?
- Opportunity to redress toward fuel economy or tighter emission levels?

## Additional Issue 2:  New NAAQS

- TEA-21 contained additional provisions related to the new NAAQS
- Set deadlines and time frames for implementation of 8-hr. O3 and PM 2.5
- TEA-21 deadlines are less restrictive than CAA time frames
- O3 deadline has passed; PM 2.5 looming
- Is it reasonable to meet TEA-21 deadlines?

## CMAQ:  Latest Developments

- 1/16/02 FR Notice on Eligibility of High Speed Rail
- CMAQ Evaluation by the National Academy of Sciences, expected April ‘02
- Implementation of Public-Private Partnerships
- Electronic Reporting of CMAQ Annual Reports

## CMAQ: Strengths and Weaknesses

- Strengths
- Title 23’s most flexible program
- promotes local solutions
- furthers MPO empowerment / brings in new stakeholders
- makes positive, incremental improvements
- meets multiple objectives:  mobility, air quality, livability
- Weaknesses
- administrative requirements
- small emissions reductions from individual projects
- benefits reporting

## Whither CMAQ?