13 hours ago
‘Clean Air' lawsuit settlement reached with Connecticut school bus company
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — A school bus company is required to stop 'unlawful idling' and purchase six electric school buses as part of a settlement reached with Conservation Law Foundation, foundation officials say Monday.
All-Star Transportation was sued over alleged Clean Air Act violations related to tailpipe emissions in Brookfield, New Milford, Seymour, and Waterbury.
State leaders, officials push for clean air quality for Connecticut schools
As part of the settlement, the company will also have to create charging infrastructure for the new buses. It's all estimated to cost about $2.5 million.
They'll also have to enhance their idling training and do walkthroughs to monitor idling. Plus, they'll have to pay $300,000 to R.A.C.C.E. Inc. to fund air quality monitoring projects in Waterbury.
AllStar-Ordered-CD-6.5.25Download
'Holding polluters accountable to idling laws protects public health and the environment,' Conservation Law Foundation staff attorney Ameya Gehi said. 'When a vehicle idles, it spews harmful tailpipe pollution into the air, harming our lungs and communities. Less idling and fewer fossil-fueled buses means cleaner, safer air for Connecticut residents.'
CLF officials said the lawsuit was part of their anti-idling campaign. Since 2019, they've filed nine cases against transportation companies in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
News 8 has reached out to All-Star Transportation for comment.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
