TFCA Marks 10th Anniversary; Air District Awards over $200 Million for Clean Air Projects.

Business Editors

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 24, 2002

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District) began its Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) program in 1992 and has since awarded a total of $201 million in grants for over 1,400 Bay Area projects designed to reduce emissions from motor vehicles. In ten years, these projects have reduced particulate and oxides of nitrogen emissions over 1330 tons per year.

Today, a TFCA funded project in Sunnyvale begins with the addition of 24 compressed natural gas (CNG) garbage trucks and the installation of a CNG fueling station. The fueling station compliments others located in San Carlos, Palo Alto, San Jose and Fremont--making it easier for school buses, private vehicles, and government fleets to have access to CNG.

Compressed natural gas vehicles reduce emissions of diesel particulates, a toxic air contaminant and smog-forming oxides of nitrogen.

Natural gas vehicles that have received TFCA funding include 192 school buses, 65 CNG garbage trucks, 19 street sweepers, 41 transit buses, 265 medium duty trucks and 1,096 light duty sedans and trucks (349 electric, 720 CNG and 26 propane). TFCA has also funded shuttles to transit; bike lanes, racks and lockers; electric vehicle demonstration projects and charging stations; rideshare programs; arterial traffic management systems, the Smoking Vehicle and automobile buy-back programs; and support of "smart growth" projects.

TFCA is funded by the $4 surcharge on motor vehicle registration fees. "In essence, the vehicle registration surcharge is going back to Bay Area communities to fund clean air projects that benefit our region," stated William C. Norton, Executive Officer of the Air District. "The Transportation Fund for Clean Air provides a great incentive for cities and counties to make clean air transportation choices," Norton added.