TFCA Regional Fund

Learn more about the Transportation Fund for Clean Air Regional Fund and Air District sponsored programs and explore funding opportunities for clean air vehicles and trip reduction projects.

New 7/15/2025

New:

Public comment period is open for the TFCA Policies until August 22, 2025, and a webinar is scheduled for July 30, 2025.

Background

Vehicle emissions contribute to unhealthy levels of ozone, also known as "smog," and particulate matter.

In the Bay Area, tailpipe emissions from the transportation sector account for approximately 40 percent of the criteria air pollutants and greenhouse gases, or GHGs, emitted. Significant emissions reductions from the on-road transportation sector are key to helping the Bay Area attain state and federal ambient air quality standards and GHG emission reduction targets.

In 1991, the California State Legislature authorized the Department of Motor Vehicles, or DMV, to impose a $4 surcharge on cars and trucks registered within the Air District’s jurisdiction to provide grant funding to eligible projects that reduce on-road motor vehicle emissions. The statutory authority for the Transportation Fund for Clean Air, or TFCA, and requirements of the program are set forth in California Health and Safety Code Sections 44241 and 44242. 

Sixty percent of TFCA funds are awarded by the Air District through the TFCA Regional Fund, and to eligible programs implemented directly by the Air District, referred as Air District-sponsored programs. Each year, the Air District’s Board of Directors considers the allocation of new TFCA funds and the proposed updates to the policies. Solicitations and Call for Projects are issued following the Board’s approval.

The remaining forty percent of this funding is passed through to the designated agencies of the nine Bay Area counties through the TFCA 40 Percent Fund and is awarded by these agencies to TFCA-eligible projects located within those counties.

Board-Approved TFCA Regional Fund Policies and Evaluation Criteria Commencing FYE 2025

On June 5, 2024, following a public comment period, the Air District’s Board of Directors approved proposed updates to the TFCA Regional Fund Policies and Evaluation Criteria Commencing FYE 2025. A copy of the approved policies can be downloaded from the “Resources” section on this page.

Public comment period opens for the TFCA Policies Commencing FYE 2027

The Air District is currently accepting public comments for the TFCA Policies. For the first time, these Policies will guide the use of both the 60 Percent Fund that is administered by the Air District, and the 40 Percent Fund, which is passed through and administered by the designated public agency in each of the nine Bay Area counties (collectively referred to as the “administering agencies”). Based on input from stakeholders, Air District staff will prepare a final draft of the proposed updates to the Policies for consideration by the Air District’s Board of Directors at a meeting that is tentatively scheduled for October 2025. The adopted Policies will govern the use of the TFCA Funds starting from July 1, 2026 for a year or more.

Webinar

Interested parties are strongly encouraged to view the webinar before submitting comments.

A webinar has been scheduled to provide background on the TFCA program, discuss the proposed updates, review the public comment process and the timeline, and obtain stakeholder feedback.

Please note that registration is required for participation in the webinar and early registration is encouraged.

  • July 30, 2025 from 11AM to 12PM PT (register)

How to Submit Comments

The deadline for receiving comments is August 22, 2025 by 4:00PM PST.

Comments may be submitted via grants@baaqmd.gov with the subject heading “Comments – TFCA Policies Commencing FYE2027”.

Resources

Spare the Air Status