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

Rolling coal (also spelled rollin' 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.

Rolling coal is 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 (a practice 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 impairs 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 who was 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 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]

The Environmental Protection Agency has made it a "national priority" to erase what it says is "a significant contributor to air pollution." A 2020 EPA report said 15 percent of diesel trucks in the U.S. are rigged to "delete" emissions controls. According to government estimates, the practice can increase nitrogen oxide emissions as much as 310 times, non-methane hydrocarbons 1,400 times, and carbon monoxide 120 times. ... "Businesses that manufacture and sell illegal devices to defeat a vehicle's emissions controls foster pollution and risk decades of progress in curtailing harmful emissions from motor vehicles in this country," said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division.[18]

In 2023, companies in Idaho and California pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act and agreed to fines of US$1 million each.[18]

State law

State legislative action
State Bill Year Effective Notes
Colorado HB16-1319[19] 2016 N/A
Colorado HB17-1102[20] 2017 N/A
Colorado SB17-278[21] 2017 June 5, 2017[22] "A person who violates the prohibition commits a class A traffic infraction, punishable by a fine of $100."
Connecticut HB-6975 [23] 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 [24] 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[25] 2017 N/A[26]
Illinois HB3553[27] 2015 N/A In March 2015, Illinois General Assembly representative Will Guzzardi published a bill proposing to impose a US$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."[28]
Maine 2113 2019 2019 Prohibits operating a diesel-powered motor vehicle under 18,000 pounds (8,200 kg) gross weight that emits visible smoke on a public way or parking area because of an alteration to the air pollution control system. Violation is a traffic infraction subject to a penalty not exceeding US$100.
Maryland HB848[29] 2016 N/A
Maryland HB11[30] 2017 October 1, 2017[31]
Massachusetts H.3097[32] 2019 N/A
New Jersey SB2418[33] 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.[34]
New York S8201[35] 2016 N/A
New York S37[36] 2017 N/A
New York S38[37] 2019 N/A
Utah HB110[38] 2015 May 12, 2015
Utah HB171[39] 2018 N/A[40]
Utah HB139[41] 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."[42] The California Highway Patrol or local police can cite a vehicle under this section or others for rolling coal.[43]

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.[21][44]

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.[45]

Indiana

"The engine and power mechanism of a motor vehicle must be equipped and adjusted so as to prevent escape of excessive fumes or smoke."[46]

Kansas

Vehicles must be equipped and adjusted to prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke.[47]

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. Normal operations, commercial vehicles of 10,000 pounds or more, and construction site vehicles are exempt.[48]

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."[49]

New Jersey

No person shall retrofit any diesel-powered vehicle with any device, smoke stack (i.e., hood stack or bed 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."[50]

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regulations also prohibit "smoking vehicles", and the department has a reporting hotline.[51]

North Carolina

In 2016, a question to the Western North Carolina Air Quality Director about "rolling coal" referenced state law.[52] Vehicles driven on a highway must have equipment to prevent "annoying smoke and smoke screens."[53] During any mode of operation, diesel-powered vehicles cannot emit for longer than five consecutive seconds visible contaminants darker than a specific density.[54]

Texas

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) decommissioned its state-wide smoking vehicle reporting program.[55] 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.[56]

Utah

The 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.[57] 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.[58]

An incident of coal rolling on a cyclist was captured on camera in August 2018 and referred to the Kane County attorney.[59] In March 2020, cast members of the Utah-based Diesel Brothers reality television series, and the companies they own, were fined a total of US$850,000 for Clean Air Act violations.[60]

County or municipal ordinances and reporting

Hudson, Colorado

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 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 US$499.[61]

Overland Park, Kansas

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.[62][63]

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

These counties have "smoking vehicle" report forms online.[64]

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.[65] The ordinance, which was passed in July 2017, exempts several categories of vehicles and provides for a fine of up to US$750 and up to six months in jail.[66] A first attempt in July 2016 failed,[66] but Cheyenne police had clarified at that time that they had been writing tickets for coal rolling under state law.[66]

Canada

Provincial Law

Provincial Legislative Action
Province Bill Year Effective Notes
British Columbia M 232[67] 2017 N/A "This Bill would prohibit tampering with emissions control devices in motor vehicles after their sale."
Ontario Bill 132 2019 December 2019 Schedule 16, Section 11

British Columbia

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

Ontario

Section 75.1 of the Ontario Highway Traffic Act prohibits modifications to a vehicle's emissions systems to increase emissions output exceeding that of the manufacturer's specifications, and modifications which tamper a vehicle’s emission control system to bypass, disable or otherwise negate it. Furthermore, Ontario Regulation 169/22 restricts the opacity of vehicle emissions and modifications to a vehicle's emissions system. Violations can result in a fine ranging from CA$300 to CA$1,000 for non-commercial vehicles, and CA$400 to CA$20,000 for commercial vehicles.[68][69]

See also

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

References

  1. ↑ Grenoble, Ryan (11 July 2014). "Political Protest Or Just Blowing Smoke? Anti-Environmentalists Are Now 'Rolling Coal'". HuffPost. Archived from the original on 15 August 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023. Anti-environmentalists have found a new medium for exhausting their anger: exhaust. Literally. [...] Some truck enthusiasts are intentionally producing copious amounts of diesel exhaust, spewing black smoke into the air as a form of political protest. It's called "rolling coal."
  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. 1 2 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. Archived from the original on May 5, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Colbert Pokes Fun at 'Rolling Coal,' the Insecure Trucker Driver's Response to Environmentalists". EcoWatch. July 18, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Rolling coal: Canadian diesel truck lovers insist they're not like U.S. counterparts". CTV News. July 16, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  8. ↑ Oberg, Jamie (July 18, 2014). "Police warn drivers against 'rolling coal'". KCTV. Archived from the original on July 22, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Political Protest Or Just Blowing Smoke? Anti-Environmentalists Are Now 'Rolling Coal'". Huffington Post. July 6, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  10. ↑ Tabuchi, Hiroko (September 4, 2016). "'Rolling Coal' in Diesel Trucks, to Rebel and Provoke". The New York Times. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  11. ↑ "There's Nothing Wrong with Rolling Coal". Vice. 11 July 2014. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  12. ↑ Boyd, Shaun (April 4, 2016). "Lawmaker Wants To Stop 'Coal Rollers' From Intentionally Blasting Black Smoke". CBS Denver. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
  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.
  14. ↑ Begley, Dug (November 8, 2021). "Waller DA files 6 felonies for 'rolling coal' crash that injured 6 cyclists". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  15. ↑ McCauley, Lauren (July 8, 2014). "Washington: 'Rolling Coal' by Anti-Environmentalists Dubbed Illegal by EPA". Common Dreams.
  16. ↑ "Air Enforcement". US EPA. May 3, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  17. ↑ Tabuchi, Hiroko (September 4, 2016). "'Rolling Coal' in Diesel Trucks, to Rebel and Provoke". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  18. 1 2 Alesia, Mark (August 24, 2023). "Feds crack down on 'rolling coal' — a troll-tastic pastime of some Trump supporters". Raw Story. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  19. ↑ "HB16-1319 Prohibit Coal Rolling In Diesel Vehicles". Colorado General Assembly. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  20. ↑ "HB17-1102 Prohibit Nuisance Exhibition Motor Vehicle Exhaust". Colorado General Assembly. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  21. 1 2 "SB17-278 Prohibit Nuisance Exhibition Motor Vehicle Exhaust". Colorado General Assembly. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  22. ↑ Tomasic, John (May 2, 2017). "Colorado to outlaw 'rolling coal' nuisance exhaust". The Colorado Statesman. Archived from the original on May 3, 2017. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Substitute House Bill No. 6975 – An Act Prohibiting the Practice of 'Rolling Coal'". Connecticut General Assembly. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Proposed House Bill No. 5871 – An Act Concerning 'Rolling Coal' As A Bias Crime". Connecticut General Assembly. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  25. ↑ "Senate Bill 1130". Idaho State Legislature. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  26. ↑ "Senate kills anti-'coal rolling' bill on 16–18 vote". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  27. ↑ "Bill Status for HB3553". Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  28. ↑ Ramsey, Jonathon (March 27, 2015). "Illinois bill would make 'rolling coal' illegal". Autoblog. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  29. ↑ "GAM-HB0848 Summary 2016 Regular Session". Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  30. ↑ "GAM-HB0011 Summary 2017 Regular Session". Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  31. ↑ Shaver, Katherine (May 26, 2017). "No more 'rolling coal' on Maryland roads". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  32. ↑ "Bill H.3097 An Act prohibiting the practice of coal rolling". Massachusetts Legislature. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  33. ↑ "S2418". New Jersey Legislative Statutes. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  34. ↑ Bruce, Chris (May 13, 2015). "Rolling coal now illegal in New Jersey". Autoblog. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  35. ↑ "NY State Senate Bill S8201". New York State Senate. September 28, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  36. ↑ "NY State Senate Bill S37". New York State Senate. December 28, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  37. ↑ "NY State Senate Bill S38". New York State Senate. December 21, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  38. ↑ "HB0110". Utah Legislature. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  39. ↑ "HB0171". Utah Legislature. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  40. ↑ "Lawmakers make vehicle-emissions tests more common in Utah, but penalties for 'rolling coal' are unchanged". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  41. ↑ "HB0139". Utah Legislature. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  42. ↑ "California Vehicle Code division 12, chapter 5, article 2". California Legislative Information. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  43. ↑ "On the road: 'Rolling coal' and Warren Road improvements". The Press-Enterprise. 2 August 2015. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  44. ↑ "Colorado Revised Statutes 42-4-314". Archived from the original on February 3, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2019 – via LexisNexis.
  45. ↑ AN ACT PROHIBITING THE PRACTICE OF "ROLLING COAL". No. Subsection (a) of section 14-164c of May 3, 2017. Connecticut General Assembly.
  46. ↑ "Indiana Code 2018 - Indiana General Assembly, 2019 Session". Indiana General Assembly. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  47. ↑ "Kansas Statutes 2019–2020 session". Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  48. ↑ "Maryland Code – Transportation, §21–1131". Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  49. ↑ "Bill H.1698". malegislature.gov. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  50. ↑ "N.J. Legislative Statutes". New Jersey Legislative Statutes. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  51. ↑ "NJDEP Diesel Inspection & Maintenance – Idling & Smoking Vehicles". State of New Jersey. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  52. ↑ "Answer Man: Is 'rolling coal' legal? School zone speeding?". Citizen Times. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  53. ↑ "§ 20-128. Exhaust system and emissions control devices". North Carolina General Assembly. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  54. ↑ "North Carolina General Statutes § 20-128.1 Control of visible emissions – Legal Research". Retrieved February 2, 2019 – via Onecle.
  55. ↑ "Smoking Vehicle Program". Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. 22 February 2023. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023. TCEQ has decommissioned its smoking vehicle program.
  56. ↑ Moffa, Anthony; Brown, Jason; Klaus, Chris (n.d.). "Regional Smoking Vehicle Program". North Central Texas Council of Governments. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023. Implementation Region [...] The North Central Texas region encompasses Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rockwall, Somervell, Tarrant, and Wise counties.
  57. ↑ "Authority of division to suspend or revoke registration, certificate of title, license plate, or permit". Utah Legislature. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  58. ↑ "41-6a-1626. Mufflers -- Prevention of noise, smoke, and fumes -- Air pollution control devices". Utah Legislature. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  59. ↑ Bevilacqua, Matt (August 29, 2018). "Caught on Camera: Truck Driver 'Rolls Coal' on Cyclist". Bicycling. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  60. ↑ Shenenfelt, Mark (2020-03-09). "Judge hits Diesel Brothers with $848,000 in penalties for air pollution violations". Standard-Examiner. Ogden, Utah. Archived from the original on 2021-04-19. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  61. ↑ "Municode Library". library.municode.com. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  62. ↑ "Overland Park Traffic Ordinance. Noise Prevention; Mufflers". online.encodeplus.com. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  63. ↑ Department, Overland Park Police (July 16, 2014). "The Overland Park Police Department: Blowing Smoke". The Overland Park Police Department. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  64. ↑ "County Smoking Vehicle Reporting Program Contacts: Mobile Sources and Transportation Program". Utah Department of Environmental Quality. 20 June 2019. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  65. ↑ "Nuisance exhibition of motor vehicle exhaust—Prohibited". library.municode.com. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  66. 1 2 3 Greenwald, Joy (24 July 2017). "Cheyenne Council OKs Anti-Rolling Coal Ordinance". KGAB. Archived from the original on 19 March 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2023. Councilman Rocky Case has a message for diesel truck owners who "roll coal" on Cheyenne's streets, "We're not going to tolerate it anymore." [...] State statute already lets police hit offenders with $100 fines, but the Cheyenne City Council voted 8 to 1 Monday night to put the law on the city books, making it a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a $750 fine.
  67. ↑ "BILL M 232 – 2017 MOTOR VEHICLE AMENDMENT ACT, 2017". Act No. BILL M 232 of 2017. 2017 Legislative Session: 6th Session, 40th Parliament. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  68. ↑ Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. 75, s. 1, Part VI, as amended by R.S.O. 1990, C. H.8 (Highway Traffic Act at Government of Ontario)
  69. ↑ Highway Traffic Act - ONTARIO REGULATION 169/22: VEHICLE EMISSIONS, R.S.O. 1990, c. , as amended by R.S.O. 1990, C. H.8 (Highway Traffic Act - ONTARIO REGULATION 169/22: VEHICLE EMISSIONS at Government of Ontario)
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