Air Quality Office

Overview

Pollutants are generated by a wide variety of sources, including emissions. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 required a reduction in the amount of allowable vehicle tailpipe emissions, initiated more stringent control measures in areas that still failed to meet the federal National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) -- known as non-attainment areas, and provided for a stronger, more rigorous link between transportation and air quality planning.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), aka Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), was signed into law by President Biden on November 15, 2021. The law authorizes $1.2 trillion for transportation and infrastructure spending with $550 billion of that figure going toward “new” investments and programs.

In coordination with the Federal Highway Administration, TDOT provides several programs and resources to assist local communities in air quality improvement.