Abstract |
The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) provides funds to states for projects designed to help attain and maintain the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) set under the Clean Air Act (CAA). CMAQ was created in 1991 by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA), and Congress is now considering reauthorization of ISTEA. This report analyzes the impact of the CMAQ program in reducing air pollutant emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC), carbon monoxide (CO), and oxides of nitrogen (NOX) under ISTEA and in the Administration's NEXTEA reauthorization proposal. Data used in this analysis came from estimates of emission benefits and funding obligations reported by the states to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and published in FHWA's CMAQ Program Annual Report for FY 1994. |