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 STAÂs policy against excessive idling at all bus lots;
c. notifying all school districts of STAÂs policy against excessive idling;
d. requiring facility managers to perform periodic Âwalk-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 STAÂs anti-idling policy; and
f. requiring regional managers to check-in quarterly with state to assess compliance with STAÂs anti-idling policy.
2. Installation of GPS units and tracking systems on 117 of Ocean StateÂs 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