The settlement requires the school bus company to stop unlawful idling and purchase six electric school buses and charging infrastructure. Photo: Shutterstock
June 9, 2025 (New Haven, CT) – Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) and All-Star Transportation settled a lawsuit over Clean Air Act violations from harmful tailpipe emissions in Brookfield, New Milford, Seymour, and Waterbury, Connecticut. The settlement requires the school bus company to stop unlawful idling and purchase six electric school buses and charging infrastructure, estimated to cost $2.5 million.
“Holding polluters accountable to idling laws protects public health and the environment,” said Ameya Gehi, CLF staff attorney. “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.”
In addition to revising its anti-idling policy, improving idling training, and conducting walkthroughs to monitor idling, All-Star will pay $300,000 to R.A.C.C.E. Inc. to fund air quality monitoring projects in Waterbury.
“While we were saddened and disappointed to learn the extent of additional and unwarranted amounts of pollutants emitted into the air we breathe by All Star Transportation, we are equally excited and encouraged to learn of the legal advocacy conducted by CLF to bring increased levels of accountability, transparency, and partnership with All Star Transportation,” said Robert Goodrich, executive director of R.A.C.C.E. Inc., a nonprofit group working to improve air quality in Waterbury. “As a result of CLF’s efforts, Waterbury students and families will have an opportunity to benefit from cleaner air as well as more timely and accurate air quality data.”
Idling vehicles emit harmful exhaust containing particulate matter and toxins, which accumulate in the surrounding air. Breathing in this pollution can damage the lungs, worsen conditions such as asthma and bronchitis, and is associated with reduced cognitive function, higher rates of heart disease, various cancers, and premature death. Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution—their lungs are developing and they breathe faster than adults, resulting in higher exposure. Reducing exposure to diesel exhaust for schoolchildren significantly improves school attendance, helping students succeed in the classroom.
The lawsuit was part of CLF’s anti-idling campaign. Since 2019, CLF has filed nine cases in Connecticut and Massachusetts against transportation companies in violation of anti-idling laws.
The settlement can be found here.
CLF experts are available for further comment.
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