Illinois, following in the footsteps of New Jersey and several European cities, is debating a bill that would overtly outlaw rolling coal, and attach a $5,000 fine to anyone caught breaking the law. Not only that, it seeks to further limit diesel engine and pickup truck modifications, specifically singling out exhaust systems and smoke stacks.
The law in New Jersey developed when a State Senator Linda Greenstein was smoked out by a diesel pickup truck owner. In response she sponsored and led the passing of a law to ban rolling coal and to further regulate which parts are street legal and which are not.
Specifically, the New Jersey S2418 law states:
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.” Any person who violates this section shall be subject to the penalties established pursuant to section 27 of P.L.2005, c.219 (C.26:2C-8.52) and any other applicable law.
Compare to the identical language of the proposed Illinois bill HB3553, including the stipulated fine:
Sec. 9.16. Coal rolling.
8 (a) No person shall retrofit any diesel-powered vehicle
9 with any device, smoke stack, or other equipment that enhances
10 the vehicle's capacity to emit soot, smoke, or other
11 particulate emissions, or shall purposely release significant
12 quantities of soot, smoke, or other particulate emissions into
13 the air and onto roadways and other vehicles while operating
14 the vehicle, colloquially referred to as "coal rolling".
15 (b) Any person who violates this Section shall be subject
16 to a penalty of not more than $5,000 per violation.
17 (c) The Agency shall adopt any rules necessary for the
18 implementation of this Section.
In New Jersey, Linda Greenstein’s bill passed unanimously with a vote of 62-0. It is expected that the bill sponsored Will Guzzardi, State Representative from Illinois, will pass as well.
Future of Rolling Coal
It has long been my stance that there is a time and place for “rolling coal”, specifically, during diesel events. Most liberals I know would point to the aforementioned laws and state that trucks on dynos are rolling coal, even though there is a clear difference in harassment and competition.
As I am found of pointing out to people, now is the time to start planning ahead and participating in diesel sports and in the diesel communities. Without direct participation dyno events, drag races, and sled pulls could be seriously at risk.