The Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC), who collect a $4 surcharge on vehicle registration fees at the Department of Motor Vehicles for activities necessary to reach California's clean air goals, has targeted an unprecedented $38.5 million for innovative projects and programs in the South Coast region to help reduce harmful emissions from vehicles.

The MSRC's new two-year work program will fund five broad program areas, focusing on new or upgraded alternative fuel vehicles, alternative fuel infrastructure, and transportation control measures. This year, bicycle infrastructure, such as creating bike lanes, is included as a new project category.

At $11 million, the Local Government Match Program has the largest targeted funding of any of the program areas. Incentives are available for local agencies that use their vehicle-registration-surcharge AB 2766 funds.

The Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Program has $7.5 million reserved for new and expanded refueling facilities for compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), and L/CNG fuels. To generate even more clean air benefits, additional funding is offered for facilities that offer public-access stations and utilize CNG produced from renewable sources.

The Transportation Control Measures Program is targeting $7.5 million for projects aimed at curbing single-occupancy vehicle use in order to cut down on traffic congestion and reduce emissions. Eligible projects include traffic signal synchronization and “first mile-last mile” projects with a bicycle focus, designed to get commuters to and from their final destination when they take public transit. This funding is in addition to the $4 million already allocated for the Major Event Center Transportation Program, which partners with event centers like Dodger and Angels baseball games that are not sufficiently served by public transit.

The Off-Road Vehicle Program has $7 million reserved for three project categories. Funding is available for advanced low-emission off-road construction equipment technologies including hybrid-electric, hybrid-hydraulic, and zero-emission equipment.

The final program area is the On-Road Vehicle Program offering $5.5 million for new school bus purchases and the acquisition of zero-emission and near zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty trucks in the 14,001 to 26,000 GVWR category.