Rolling coal

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A Ford F-450 "rolling coal" (blowing large clouds of dark grey diesel smoke)

Rolling coal is the practice of modifying a diesel engine to emit large amounts of black or grey sooty exhaust fumes, diesel fuel that has not undergone complete combustion. A predominantly North American phenomenon, rolling coal is sometimes used as a form of anti-environmentalism.[1] Such modifications may include the intentional removal of the particulate filter.[2] Practitioners often additionally modify their vehicles by installing smoke switches, large exhausts,[3] and smoke stacks. Modifications to a vehicle to enable rolling coal may cost from US$200 to US$5,000.[4][5]

Background[]

Rolling coal is a form of conspicuous air pollution, used for entertainment or as protest.[4] Some drivers intentionally trigger coal rolling in the presence of hybrid vehicles (when it is nicknamed "Prius repellent") to cause their drivers to lose sight of the road and inhale harmful air pollution. Coal rolling may also be directed at foreign vehicles, bicyclists, protesters, and pedestrians.[6][7][8][9] Practitioners cite "American freedom" and a stand against "rampant environmentalism" as reasons for coal rolling.[10][11]

A concern is road traffic safety violations, as the black smoke can impair visibility, increasing the risks of motor vehicle crashes,[12] and is a violation of clean air laws.

Some incidents have led to injuries. In 2021, six bicyclists training for a road race were run over by a 16-year-old rolling coal along Business U.S. Highway 290 in Waller County, Texas, outside Houston. Two of the cyclists were injured severely enough to require medical evacuation by helicopter. The motorist, a teenaged boy, was not charged at the time of the accident; local cyclists' groups were outraged.[13] He was later charged with six felony counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.[14]

Legality[]

United States[]

In July 2014, the United States Environmental Protection Agency stated that the practice was illegal, as it violated the Clean Air Act which prohibits the manufacturing, sale, and installation "of a part for a motor vehicle that bypasses, defeats, or renders inoperative any emission control device [and] prohibits anyone from tampering with an emission control device on a motor vehicle by removing it or making it inoperable prior to or after the sale or delivery to the buyer."[15][16][17]

State law[]

State legislative action
State Bill Year Effective Notes
Maine 2113 2019 2019 2113. Visible emissions

1-A. Rolling coal prohibited. A person may not operate, or cause to have operated, a diesel‑powered motor vehicle with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating under 18,000 pounds that emits visible smoke on a public way or parking area because of a permanent or temporary alteration to the air pollution control system of the motor vehicle. For the purposes of this subsection, "air pollution control system" has the same meaning as in section 2111, subsection 1. [PL 2019, c. 335, §6 (NEW).] 2. Violation; penalty. A violation of this section is a traffic infraction for which a forfeiture not to exceed $100 may be adjudged. A person against whom enforcement action has been taken for a violation of subsection 1 may not be adjudicated to have committed a subsequent violation of subsection 1 unless 24 hours have elapsed between the date and time of the first violation indicated on the Violation and Summons Complaint and the subsequent violation.

Colorado HB16-1319[18] 2016 N/A
Colorado HB17-1102[19] 2017 N/A
Colorado SB17-278[20] 2017 June 5, 2017[21]
Connecticut HB-6975 [22] 2017 October 1, 2017 "Any person who violates the provisions of this subdivision shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both."
Connecticut HB-5871 [23] 2019 N/A “To prevent bias attacks which employ the practice of "rolling coal"... any person guilty of intimidation based on bigotry or bias in the fourth degree shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.”
Idaho SB1130[24] 2017 N/A[25]
Illinois HB3553[26] 2015 N/A In March 2015, Illinois General Assembly representative Will Guzzardi published a bill proposing to impose a $5,000 fine on anyone who removes or alters their vehicle's EPA emissions equipment. Guzzardi has made it clear that "The fine would come on top of any penalties enforced by the current law that prohibits emissions tampering."[27]
Maryland HB848[28] 2016 N/A
Maryland HB11[29] 2017 October 1, 2017[30]
Massachusetts H.3097[31] 2019 N/A
New Jersey SB2418[32] 2014 May 4, 2015 In May 2015, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed a bill into law prohibiting the retrofitting of diesel-powered vehicles to increase particulate emissions for the purpose of coal rolling. Those found in violation are subject to a fine by the state's Department of Environmental Protection. The bill was introduced by state Assemblyman Tim Eustace after a pickup truck blasted smoke at Eustace's Nissan Leaf while driving on the New Jersey Turnpike.[33]
New York S8201[34] 2016 N/A
New York S37[35] 2017 N/A
New York S38[36] 2019 N/A
Utah HB110[37] 2015 May 12, 2015
Utah HB171[38] 2018 N/A[39]
Utah HB139[40] 2019 N/A

California[]

California law prohibits operating a vehicle "in a manner resulting in the escape of excessive smoke, flame, gas, oil, or fuel residue".[41] The California Highway Patrol or local police can cite a vehicle under this section or others for rolling coal.[42]

Colorado[]

Prohibits nuisance exhibition of motor vehicle exhaust, which is the knowing release of soot, smoke, or other particulate emissions from a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 14,000 pounds or less into the air and onto roadways, other motor vehicles, bicyclists, or pedestrians, in a manner that obstructs or obscures another person's view of the roadway, other users of the roadway, or a traffic control device or otherwise creates a hazard to a driver, bicyclist, or pedestrian.[43]

Connecticut[]

No person shall operate a motor vehicle in a manner that causes a visual exhibition of smoke that consists of the release of soot, smoke or other particulate emissions to the air and onto roadways, other motor vehicles, bicyclists or pedestrians, with the intent to (A) cause a reasonable person to feel harassed, annoyed or alarmed, (B) obstruct or obscure any person's view of the roadway, other users of the roadway or a traffic control device, or (C) create a hazard to a motor vehicle operator, bicyclist or pedestrian.

Indiana[]

Vehicles can have equipment to prevent "escape of excessive fumes or smoke".[44]

Maryland[]

A person may not knowingly or intentionally cause a diesel-powered motor vehicle to discharge clearly visible smoke, soot, or other exhaust emissions onto another person or motor vehicle. Exempts normal operations, large commercial vehicles, and construction site vehicles.[45]

Massachusetts[]

"No person operating a diesel-powered vehicle shall intentionally release significant quantities of soot, smoke, or other particulate emissions into the air, onto roadways or other vehicles in a manner that obstructs or obscures another person's view of the roadway, other users of the roadway, or a traffic control device or otherwise creates a hazard to a driver."

New Jersey[]

Prohibitions relative to certain retrofitting of diesel-powered vehicles. No person shall retrofit any diesel-powered vehicle with any device, smoke stack, or other equipment which enhances the vehicle's capacity to emit soot, smoke, or other particulate emissions, or shall purposely release significant quantities of soot, smoke, or other particulate emissions into the air and onto roadways and other vehicles while operating the vehicle, colloquially referred to as "coal rolling."[46] New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regulations also prohibit "smoking vehicles," and the department has a reporting hotline.[47]

North Carolina[]

In 2016, a question to the Western North Carolina Air Quality Director about "rolling coal" referenced state law.[48] Vehicles driven on a highway must have equipment to prevent "annoying smoke and smoke screens".[49] During any mode of operation, diesel-powered vehicles cannot emit for longer than five consecutive seconds visible contaminants darker than a specific density.[50]

Texas[]

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) decommissioned its state-wide smoking vehicle reporting program.[51] Reports on smoking vehicles can still be made through the North Central Texas Regional Smoking Vehicle Program in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which includes Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rockwall, Somervell, Tarrant, and Wise counties.[52]

Utah[]

Department of Motor Vehicles may suspend or revoke a vehicle's registration if notified by a local health department that the vehicle is unable to meet state or local air emissions standards.[53] Except during warmup or heavy tow, or for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight greater than 26,000 pounds, a diesel engine may not emit visible contaminants during operation if manufactured after 2007, or may not emit contaminants greater than a specific density if manufactured before 2008.[54] An incident of coal rolling on a cyclist was captured on camera in August 2018 and referred to the Kane County attorney.[55] In March 2020 cast members of the Utah-based Diesel Brothers reality television series, and the companies they own, were fined a total of $850,000 for Clean Air Act violations.[56]

County or municipal ordinances and reporting[]

Hudson, Colorado[57][]

It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in a nuisance exhibition of motor vehicle exhaust, which is the knowing release of soot, smoke, or other particulate emissions from a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of fourteen thousand (14,000) pounds or less into the air and onto roadways, other motor vehicles, bicyclists, or pedestrians, in a manner that obstructs or obscures another person's view of the roadway, other users of the roadways, or a traffic control device or otherwise creates a hazard to a driver, bicyclist, or pedestrian. The ordinance, which was passed in September 2017, exempts several categories of vehicles, and provides for a fine up to $499.

Overland Park, Kansas[58][59][]

The engine and power mechanism of every motor vehicle shall be so equipped and adjusted as to prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke.

Salt Lake, Davis, Utah, Weber/Morgan Counties, Utah[]

These counties have "smoking vehicle" report forms online.[60]

Cheyenne, Wyoming[]

A person shall not engage in a nuisance exhibition of motor vehicle exhaust, which is the knowing release of soot, smoke, or other particulate emissions from a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of fourteen thousand (14,000) pounds or less into the air and onto roadways, other motor vehicles, bicyclists, or pedestrians, in a manner that obstructs or obscures another person's view of the roadway, other users of the roadway, or a traffic control device, or otherwise creates a hazard to a driver, bicyclist, or pedestrian.[61] The ordinance, which was passed in July 2017, exempts several categories of vehicles and provides for a fine of up to $750 and up to six months in jail.[62] A first attempt in July 2016 failed,[62] but Cheyenne police had clarified at that time that they had been writing tickets for coal rolling under state law.[62]

Canada[]

Provincial Law[]

Provincial Legislative Action
Province Bill Year Effective Notes
British Columbia M 232[63] 2017 N/A "This Bill would prohibit tampering with emissions control devices in motor vehicles after their sale."

British Columbia[]

"A person who contravenes this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $50 and not more than $5,000."

Ontario[]

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks prohibits tampering with the emissions systems of diesel vehicles in order to produce "visible emissions". Fines range from $305 to $1,000 CAD.[64]

See also[]

  • Truck nuts
  • Wet stacking, a term for when diesel engines exhaust unburned fuel, whether unintentionally or as part of rolling coal

References[]

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  2. ^ Abel, David (July 28, 2014). "Rules have diesel enthusiasts fuming". The Boston Globe. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  3. ^ "How to Make Your Truck Roll Coal? 7 Easy Methods (Explained)". Trucksauthority.com. 2021-07-14. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  4. ^ a b Dahl, Melissa (July 24, 2014). "Why Pickup Truck Drivers Are Paying $5,000 to Pollute More". New York. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  5. ^ Kulze, Elizabeth (June 16, 2014). ""Rollin' Coal" Is Pollution Porn for Dudes With Pickup Trucks". Vocativ. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
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  7. ^ "Rolling coal: Canadian diesel truck lovers insist they're not like U.S. counterparts". CTV News. July 16, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
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  13. ^ Edwards, Jonathan (September 30, 2021). "A teenager allegedly hit 6 bicyclists with his truck, sending 3 to the hospital. A biker says the driver was harassing them". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
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  51. ^ Texas state-wide smoking vehicle reporting program
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  64. ^ https://www.wheels.ca/news/politics-power-and-the-grimy-art-of-coal-rolling/ Politics, power and the grimy art of ‘coal rolling’AUGUST 12, 2014 wheels.ca

External links[]

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