THE NEWS:

Greyhound buses are idling at Union Station and breaking D.C.’s environmental laws.

That’s what a joint investigation between D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine and the District Department of Energy and Environment found. Now, they are suing Greyhound for violating D.C.’s three-minute legal limit, polluting the air and injuring us all in the process. 

Indeed, vehicle exhaust is the single largest source of air pollution in this city. That’s partly why, D.C. adopted the law—to make it easier to breathe. (Also, to save the planet.) 

“Air pollution harms the health of thousands of people who live in, work in, and visit DC—especially children, the elderly and communities of color,” tweeted Racine. “Around 10,000 DC kids already have breathing problems from asthma, which can lead to an increased risk of long-term health issues.” 

The anti-idling law only applies to commercial vehicles, and Greyhound buses allegedly broke it at least 50 times over just five days in October and November 2018, per the complaint. Many buses idled for more than 20 minutes. After it was put on notice, the bus company apparently violated the law again this year, in May and July. 

The lawsuit demands at least $216,000 in civil penalties, a court order to stop Greyhound from violating the air pollution control laws again, and reimbursement for investigative costs.

FYI: An anti-idling law isn’t unique to the District. At least nine states limit idling between three and five minutes for some vehicles. —Amanda Michelle Gomez (tips? Email agomez@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

CITY DESK LINKS, by Amanda Michelle Gomez:

  • U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jessie Liuis moving to the Department of the Treasury. [Twitter]

  • Metro and its largest union reach tentative four-year agreement that scraps plans to privatize operations. [WAMU]    

  • GWU sues its operator, Universal Health Services, the top contender to run the only hospital east of the Anacostia River once United Medical Center closes. [Post]

  • Unions already don’t want Universal Health Services running the new hospital because GWU hospital allegedly violated the labor law. [WCP]

LOOSE LIPS LINKS, by Mitch Ryals(tips? mryals@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

  • Ward 3 gets a lesson in racial housing segregation. [DCist]

  • Ward 2’s Jack Evans in CNN. [CNN]

  • Actually, At-Large Councilmember Robert White willbe taking those donations from businesses and corporations. [Twitter]

  • Ward 7 Councilmember Vince Gray runs into tech issues with campaign finance reporting. [Twitter]

YOUNG & HUNGRY LINKS, by Laura Hayes (tips? lhayes@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

  • A new review app launching in D.C. today lets users rate individual dishes. [WCP]

  • These 27 dishes are worth trying (minus Philly Wing Fry, which closed). [Washingtonian]

  • The D.C. area has a professional cooking school again. [WBJ]

  • This year’s award winners are Thamee, Punjab Grill, andPeter Prime. [Eater]

  • Climaxx Bar and Restaurantwill try its best at a cursed address. [PoPville]

ARTS LINKS, by Kayla Randall (tips? krandall@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • The Sleigher: Lea Michele, “Christmas in New York.” [WCP]

  • CityCenterDC gets a big ol’ ice maze this weekend. [DCist]

  • The challah in National Theatre’s Fiddler on the Roof is a hit. [Washingtonian]

SPORTS LINKS, by Kelyn Soong (tips? ksoong@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Deal by deal, Nats general manager Mike Rizzo has been bringing the band back together. [WCP]

  • Wizards forward Dāvis Bertāns is quickly becoming a fan favorite and his career-high night of 32 points on 11-of-18 from the field (including eight three pointers) in Charlotte was another example why. It wasn’t enough for the Wizards, though, who lost 114-107 to the Hornets. [Bullets Forever]

  • The No. 4 ranked Maryland men’s basketball team fell to Penn State to lose its first game of the season. [CBS Sports]

  • U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Lindsay Carrick, who finished third at the Marine Corps Marathon last year, is among the runners who have qualified for next year’s Olympic Marathon Trials. [RunWashington]

MAKE PLANS, by Emma Sarappo (Love this section? Get the full To Do This Week newsletter here. Tips? esarappo@washingtoncitypaper.com)

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