Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Anti-Idling Compliance and Enforcement

The Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (RCSA) section 22a-174-18(b)(3) states, a mobile source shall not operate for more than 3 consecutive minutes when such mobile source is not in motion except if the vehicle is operating for one of the conditions exempted in the regulation.

Examples of these exemptions include, but are not limited to, when a vehicle is operating:

  • while stuck in traffic
  • defrosting, heating and cooling equipment to ensure the safety and/or health of the driver and passengers
  • auxiliary equipment such as refrigeration units, pumps or lifts
  • while undergoing maintenance
  • in order to reach the manufacturer's recommended operating temperature
  • while the ambient temperature is less than 20 Degrees Fahrenheit

Additionally, Public Act No. 02-56 (An Act Concerning the Idling of School Buses) gives infraction (ticketing) authority to police who witness school buses idling for longer than 3 minutes. Ticketing authority is currently limited to police that observe school buses idling for longer than 3 minutes.

Anti-Idling Sign

DEEP's goal is to achieve idling reduction through voluntary compliance. However, violations are subject to DEEP's Enforcement Response Policy and may result in administrative enforcement actions, such as Notices of Violation and Consent Orders. DEEP's Air Management field staff (DEEP field staff) does not have ticketing authority.

DEEP field staff work to ensure compliance with Connecticut's idling restriction by monitoring vehicle behavior at rest areas, schools, truck stops and at commercial delivery points, and pursuing enforcement actions when idling violations are observed.

DEEP Field staff investigate and respond to complaints of excessive idling regarding commercial vehicles and buses only; these complaints may be directed to DEEP's Air Quality Complaint Line or to your local or municipal authority.

Complaints regarding privately owned passenger vehicles should be directed to your local authority or municipality.

 

Please call DEEP's Air Quality Complaint Line to report idling: (860) 424-3436
Anti-Idling Ticket

DEEP continues to target excessive idling of motor vehicles with an ongoing enforcement initiative. An increased field inspection presence in locations where excessive idling is likely to occur has resulted in the issuance of numerous Notices of Violation.

In August 2008, a Consent Order was issued to a busing transportation company operating in Windsor Locks, which had repeated documented occurrences of excessive idling. The Order required the company to develop and implement an Anti-Idling Education and Training program for its staff and included a financial penalty.

Connecticut anti-idling regulations are federally enforceable and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has initiated several enforcement actions against companies that violate state idling laws.

 

EPA also established the Smartways Transportation Partnership. The Partnership is a voluntary collaboration that EPA and the freight industry designed to increase energy efficiency while significantly reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution.

 

 

Content Last Updated: January 23, 2020