EPA v. OCEAN STATE TRANSIT (STA)

Case summary

EPA brought an administrative action against Ocean State Transit and STA of Connecticut for idling school buses for amounts in excess of state limits, contained in SIPs, for CT and RI. The Settlement includes: a cash penalty of $35,000, and several components of injunctive relief and supplemental environmental projects, including the following: 1) performance of a nationwide training and management program, which includes the following components: a. training all drivers/operators of buses, dispatchers, facility managers, and State Managers regarding excessive idling; b. placing signs about STA’s policy against excessive idling at all bus lots; c. notifying all school districts of STA’s policy against excessive idling; d. requiring facility managers to perform periodic “walk-throughs” to ensure no excessive idling, and to report to EPA on such walk-throughs; e. requiring state managers to check-in monthly with facility managers to assess compliance with STA’s anti-idling policy; and f. requiring regional managers to check-in quarterly with state to assess compliance with STA’s anti-idling policy. 2. Installation of GPS units and tracking systems on 117 of Ocean State’s buses in Rhode Island to facilitate tracking and eliminate excessive idling. This installation is being performed as injunctive relief as a measure to promote compliance with idling limits; and 3. Performance of a SEP to retire and replace 9 older, higher-emission school buses in Connecticut from model years 2001-2003 with new, low-emission school buses.

Defendants (2)

• STA of CONNECTICUTNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• OCEAN STATE TRANSIT (STA)Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (8)

• OCEAN STATE TRANSIT

  45 FAIRGROUNDS ROAD, RHODE ISLAND, RI, 02892

  Registry ID: 110044320197

• OCEAN STATE TRANSIT

  3009 TOWER HILL ROAD, SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI, 02879

  Registry ID: 110054090960

• OCEAN STATE TRANSIT

  3347 COUNTY TRAIL, EAST GREENWICH, RI, 02818

  Registry ID: 110044320188

• STUDENT TRANSPORTATION OF AMERICA

  95 LITTLE CITY ROAD, HIGGANUM, CT, 06441

  Registry ID: 110044320099

• STUDENT TRANSPORTATION OF AMERICA

  328B SELLECK STREET, STAMFORD, CT, 06902

  Registry ID: 110044320124

• STUDENT TRANSPORTATION OF AMERICA

  5 SHELTER ROCK ROAD, DANBURY, CT, 06810

  Registry ID: 110044320115

• STUDENT TRANSPORTATION OF AMERICA

  80 TOWER AVENUE, GROTON (HISTORICAL), CT, 06340

  Registry ID: 110030322158

• STUDENT TRANSPORTATION OF AMERICA

  106 COMMERCE ROAD, STAMFORD, CT, 06902

  Registry ID: 110044320133

Statutes cited

• CAA 110 — Implementation Plan for National Primary and Secondary Ambient Air Quality Standards

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• OCEAN STATE TRANSIT (STA)entered 2012-09-27

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $35,000 · SEP: $131,000

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2012-04-18Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2012-09-27Final Order Issued
• 2012-09-27Complaint Filed/Proposed Order