‘Rolling coal’, deemed illegal by the EPA, enjoys 15 minutes of fame

If that’s how someone feels about
a Prius owner, I can only imagine what
they think of bicycle riders.
(Photo from Rollin Coal & Raisin Hell
Facebook page)

Prepare to be depressed about the current state of civic relations here in America…

Remember our two recent reports about “rolling coal”? That’s when someone who owns a truck drives it close to another road user and then purposely spews a huge cloud of black exhaust fumes at them. We first reported about it after a man claimed he was a victim of it while riding near Mt. Tabor back in February. Rolling coal made our front page again last month when a truck driver did the same thing to a group of people riding bikes in Beaverton. In that case, one of the people on bikes turned out to be an off-duty Washington County Sheriff deputy who then pulled the driver over. (Note, we initially reported that it was a member of the Beaverton Bicycle Patrol Unit and have since learned that was incorrect.)

Fast-forward a few weeks and it seems “rolling coal” has broken through beyond YouTube videos and truck enthusiast forums and onto the major online news media. Stories this week on Talking Points Memo, Slate, Huffington Post, and other outlets have brought the behavior out of the shadows.

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According to reports, people are modifying their trucks as a way to annoy “environmentalists.” Some truck drivers even put large stickers on their back windows that point to aftermarket mufflers that read “Prius repellent”.

Along with this increased attention for “rolling coal” comes a confirmation from the federal Environmental Protection Agency that the behavior is illegal and runs afoul of the Clean Air Act. According to the “tampering” section of the EPA’s “Air Enforcement” website,

“The CAA [Clean Air Act] 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. A vehicle’s emission control system is designed to limit emissions of harmful pollutants from vehicles or engines.”

In fact, one company that manufactured devices that allowed people to remove emission control devices from their trucks agreed to pay a $500,000 civil penalty to the EPA in January 2013.

Unfortunately it’s unlikely we’ll see any decrease in “rolling coal” incidents. In fact, it will probably grow in popularity simply due to all the publicity it’s enjoying during its 15 minutes of fame. Rollin Coal & and Raisin Hell, a Facebook group that has been featured in the news stories is relishing the attention. For what it’s worth the people behind that group believe it’s just a harmless prank and that, in light of other sources of diesel emissions, a few seconds of black smoke isn’t a big deal.

We’ve contacted the Washington County Sheriff’s office to find out more about the incident from last month. We’ll update this post when we get more details.

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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TonyT
TonyT
9 years ago
Nick
Nick
9 years ago
Reply to  TonyT

THAT made my day.

Mike Quiglery
Mike Quiglery
9 years ago

All the more reason to mount a GoPro on the handlebars of your bike.

Pete
Pete
9 years ago
Reply to  Mike Quiglery

Or a soot-seeking Sidewinder…

Jim
Jim
9 years ago

Likely same Beaverton guy smoked my co-worker riding last week. Co-worker ID’d the truck as a perfect match but could not see the plate thru the haze to confirm. Co-worker said driver straddled the bike lane for a while giving him pause for concern, then smokesville. Beware around Murray/Allen.

Jake breeden
Jake breeden
9 years ago
Reply to  Jim

Hello everyone I own a diesel my self! And I’ve spent tons of money on my truck, modifying it! And half the people out there don’t modify there truck just to roll coal. The factory’s restrict the engine and truck for it not to roll coal and holds back all the power it is capable of. My truck is a 2011 dodge ram 2500 and stock it gets 9.7 mpg after I put and exhaust and tuner on it it now gets 19.5 mpg. So not only does it gain power it gains fuel economy. And the toxics that come out of a gas vehicle are more harmful to the environment them the diesel fumes. And yes I roll coal on plenty of bikers. But that’s only becuase they feel the need to ride in the middle of the road so I have to wait for a save time to pass and then I blast them with smoke. Oh and my truck passes inspections and emissions so how are you gonna out law that? Hahaha good luck…

Tom Millican
Tom Millican
9 years ago
Reply to  Jake breeden

I also drive a diesel pickup. It’s completely stock, and I’ve spent hardly anything on it. Why would I? There’s rarely any smoke, and I still get 38mpg in town, 44 highway. My emissions? 0.2% out of 30% opacity allowed. The best thing is, I can drive a diesel without being a dick to others on the road.

Jake breeden
Jake breeden
9 years ago
Reply to  Tom Millican

The only reason I did all that is for more power and fuel economy! I need the extra power when hauling heavy loads. And these new diesels like my truck truck get terrible mpg. Sounds like you have a older truck. And honestly all these bikers need to stop being pussies and stop complaining. If you don’t like it don’t ride on the road it’s as simple as that. And what are you gonna do when a 18 wheeler comes by and “rolls coal”..? Call the cops on them

9watts
9watts
9 years ago
Reply to  Tom Millican

VW Rabbit pickup I’m going to venture?

Klay Belnap
Klay Belnap
9 years ago
Reply to  Jake breeden

You, my friend.. are an amazing person!

OrganicBrian
OrganicBrian
7 years ago
Reply to  Jake breeden

Your truck got 9.7 MPG before you modified it? What did you do to screw it up? Every online review of this truck that I looked at said these get about 20 MPG highway when they’re new, some reviewers actually complained about the low 15-ish in city. Your post is so odd that I wonder if it is trolling.

Rob Chapman
Rob Chapman
9 years ago

Things are going pretty well for anyone with the time and resources to modify a diesel truck this way. I’m confused as to what they have to be so angry about?

Case
Case
9 years ago
Reply to  Rob Chapman

Immergents stealin’ our jerbs.

Rob Chapman
Rob Chapman
9 years ago
Reply to  Case

Yeah! Thanks Obama.

q`Tzal
q`Tzal
9 years ago
Reply to  Case

Murica! USA! USA! USA!

Buzz
Buzz
9 years ago
Reply to  q`Tzal

Proud to be a Merkin!

Rob Chapman
Rob Chapman
9 years ago
Reply to  Buzz

The Permit fishing fly or the uh… wig Buzz?

9watts
9watts
9 years ago
Reply to  Rob Chapman

“I’m confused as to what they have to be so angry about?”

Not to put too fine a point on it, but are you familiar with the idea of a culture war? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_war

q`Tzal
q`Tzal
9 years ago
Reply to  9watts

I’m looking forward to the confusing anarchy in cultural rage leading up to the Singularity as cultural paradigms change so fast it makes even to most liberal person rant like Archie Bunker.

q`Tzal
q`Tzal
9 years ago
Reply to  q`Tzal

Actually it is but anarchy leads inexorably to self ordering systems just as authoritarian regimes always devolve in to bouts of chaotic entropy.

As all things in nature are cyclical so too are our clumsy fumblings at governance. Extremes like a vacuum are abhorred by nature as are the purest forms of anarchy and totalitarianism unconsciously rejected by all.

It is little wonder then that a fundamentalist view is destined for failure due to its clinging to the philosophical extremes.

wsbob
wsbob
9 years ago
Reply to  Rob Chapman

Probably not anger, as much as it is good old, and young boys having what they think is a fine time at the expense of people that don’t have any means for prompt recourse.

Chris I
Chris I
9 years ago
Reply to  Rob Chapman

They are sociopaths.

9watts
9watts
9 years ago
Reply to  Chris I

enviroment?

inhale a few too many particulates?

dave
dave
9 years ago

Raisin Hell? What does a grape have to do to go to Raisin Hell?

I want a little sticker of a California Raisin with horns, now. “Raisin’ Hell in Raisin Hell since 1986”

q`Tzal
q`Tzal
9 years ago

The comments at other sites like Slate are funny.
Like : @William Rolston: Tell them every time they belch the smoke, a Muslim makes a dollar and donates it to Allah.

q`Tzal
q`Tzal
9 years ago
Reply to  q`Tzal

Or the article “Here’s why “Rollin Coal” is actually awesome” over at Treehugger.com where the author writes:

If the Heartland Institute were to nominate Beavis and Butthead to be their official spokespeople, it could hardly do more to discredit “anti-environmentalism” (what an absurd concept that is) than these chumps.

Champs
Champs
9 years ago

Time and again, adding to the body of trend pieces on subjects like these has proven to give them exactly the kind of attention they shouldn’t get.

At the current rate, we’re maybe a month or two away from the New York Times publishing its own article, a condemnation that will cement its legitimacy.

jocko
jocko
9 years ago

What about our freedoooooom! (this is a joke)

Moe Szyslak
Moe Szyslak
9 years ago

My shtick was looking into an exhaust pipe and getting a faceful of soot. Nobody could do that better than me. Of course, it was kind of hard to think of reasons for me to look in that exhaust pipe every time, but you know — we had good writers. William Faulkner can write an exhaust pipe gag that would really make you think.

Scott H
Scott H
9 years ago
Reply to  Moe Szyslak

Just in case you’re wondering: http://ourgang.wikia.com/wiki/The_Simpsons

Todd Hudson
Todd Hudson
9 years ago

If you witness a truck rollin’ coal, there’s the option of reporting them to DEQ. Their response isn’t very aggressive (the offender is sent a warning letter and has 30 days to “correct the problem”), but you’re still creating an inconvenience for the truck owner.

Here’s DEQ’s Smoking Vehicles Fact Sheet, and how to make a complaint:

http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/vip/pdfs/SmokingVehicles.pdf

q`Tzal
q`Tzal
9 years ago
Reply to  Todd Hudson

Ah, but what are DEQ’s enforcement options?

was carless
was carless
9 years ago
Reply to  q`Tzal

I’m really rooting for 5 to 10 but…

q`Tzal
q`Tzal
9 years ago
Reply to  was carless

Scarlett Letter punishment: a big tattoo on the forehead that says something like “bully”.

PorterStout
PorterStout
9 years ago

American Exceptionalism at its most Exceptional.

Spiffy
9 years ago

was a few cars behind a truck that let out a huge black cloud whenever they gunned it from a light… never got close enough to get a plate… but the truck looked new enough that it shouldn’t be doing that…

q`Tzal
q`Tzal
9 years ago

At first air pollution was a cosmetic issue: it blocked the skies of London in the days of Dickens.
Later on acid rain was shown to be caused by industrial polluters. EPA controls eliminated the cause while not causing any of the businesses to fail.
More recently in 2008 a study (http://www.ehjournal.net/content/8/1/25) directly linked immediate and direct increases in urban air pollution with increases in emergency room visits for acute cardiovascular and respiratory events.

Perhaps soon we’ll see a study directly linking unregulated rural burning and combustion exhaust to a decrease in cognitive function.

Spiffy
9 years ago
Reply to  q`Tzal

“Perhaps soon we’ll see a study directly linking unregulated rural burning and combustion exhaust to a decrease in cognitive function.”

I though that’s what this article was pointing out… lower cognitive function of those rural folks burning coal…

q`Tzal
q`Tzal
9 years ago
Reply to  Spiffy

Uranium in the drinking water.

La-La-La Laa La La La Laa

Ase Goodwrench
Ase Goodwrench
9 years ago

A truck set up to “roll coal” will destroy its engine as unburned fuel washes lubrication off the cylinder walls. Before long it will roll coal all the time!

Chris I
Chris I
9 years ago

It’s sad, really. These people spend upwards of 50% of their income on these shiny new monster trucks. They dump thousands of dollars every year into diesel and modifications like this instead of saving for retirement, buying healthier food, medical payments, sending their kids to college… I really do feel bad for them.

q`Tzal
q`Tzal
9 years ago
Reply to  Chris I

These mods are just a drop in the bucket cost wise for good ole fashioned truck fun.
It always seemed insane that the rednecks would spend $2500-$4000 to repair the torque box/4WD transmission/axles/suspension the last time they went “muddin” only to turn around and destroy an equivalent cost in parts the next outting.
Golf at a private country club is less expensive.

Diesel Truck Owner
Diesel Truck Owner
9 years ago
q`Tzal
q`Tzal
9 years ago

Understand that the reaction here is not against diesel trucks but the pointlessly vindictive troglodytes who are using simple diesel engine inefficiency as a tool for juvenile fun.

It’s not conceivable that completely eliminating rolling coal mods will stop these sort of people from being violent juvenile felons in some other way.
As juvenile “pranks” go this one ranges on the more dangerous side because it obscures visibility of every driver in the vicinity of the coal roller. It also can easily give a victim a nasty case of smoke inhalation and is carcinogenic to boot.

I experienced a week long bout of smoke inhalation the last time I forgot to check that my oven was empty before preheating. Your esophagus burns, it feels as if your lungs are partially weighed down with water and you can only ever get more than half a breath in. You spend a lot of time just focusing on breathing because it takes a herculean effort.

This is more than a simple prank; it is assault.

9watts
9watts
9 years ago

That was… interesting. Thanks for posting.

I love postmodernity. Now we have a group of folks attempting to rescue the image of smoky diesel trucks by championing 1100hp(!) pickup trucks *because they don’t spew visible smoke.* Hilarious.

Jimmy
Jimmy
9 years ago

This happened to me in May on NE Spring Hill Rd near Gaston. It was a red Dodge truck.
I just held my breath and pretended not to be phased by it. Next time I will make note of the license plate.

Don
7 years ago
Reply to  Jimmy

Then report them to the FED, even Trump is against this! They will get a $400 fine and you can also sue the driver in civil court, take the truck and have it properly disposed of

Tate Matson
Tate Matson
9 years ago

First of all–the NOOA announced Monday that according to their weather data—there has not been ANY global warming in the last 20 years–in fact the temperature has gone down over that period 1.5 degrees and they believe we are actually entering a mini-ice age–last Winter was the coldest winter with the most snow packs since nearly 100 years ago–and the same goes for the planet–and the ice packs are not melting0–CO2 the stuff the democrats and government fascists claim is pollution is critical to all life on this planet–plants and algae breath CO2 and exhale Oxygen the stuff we people and animals breath—and due to the increased CO2 the more arid parts of the world are in fact greening–due to the extra supply of their “oxygen” in the air–if you think the government and media are honest–I am sorry but they are anything but….

Adam C
Adam C
9 years ago
Reply to  Tate Matson

And what does that have to do with intentionally blowing carcinogenic smoke at people? By the way, NOAA is a government agency.

boulderado
boulderado
9 years ago
Reply to  Tate Matson

Wow. I work for NOAA and assure you that virtually all relevant data indicate the world continues to warm as we add CO2 and methane to the atmosphere. Although I’m not sure what this has to do with “rolling coal”, which surely has an insignificant climate effect (it’s a relatively small amount of soot compared with other sources). BTW, my favorite climate site for non-experts is http://www.skepticalscience.com; check it out before continuing to post this kind of counter-factual stuff.

Don
7 years ago
Reply to  Tate Matson

It is to be 65 degrees F in east Tennessee on New Years Day this year, existing here for many years, I can walk out my door and see the data. 10 years ago it would be under freezing this time of year. So as far as I can see, the data says different than your silly claim implies

Right wing bike rider
Right wing bike rider
9 years ago

Being from the “right” and a regular bike commuter I’ll attempt to explain.

We’re tired of a variety of policies being shoved down our throat that are just stupid. (one example = Portland trash pick up only once every two weeks) The rollin coal is simply a juvenile reaction to such policies and a waste of money that could be spent on beer. Us conservatives need to realize that it is wiser to actually conserve for economic reasons alone let alone all the left wing’s mumbo jumbo… 🙂

That said, if someone did it to me when I was riding in I think i’d attempt to get their license plate and a good look at them. Then I’d seriously contemplate the citizens citation route with charges of reckless driving and assault. At a minimum I’d send their name into the DEQ.
http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2010/03/a_citizens_traffic_ticket_in_f.html

http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/vip/pdfs/SmokingVehicles.pdf

Pete
Pete
9 years ago

Thanks for agreeing that bicycle rider harassment is a bi-partisan issue. 🙂

q`Tzal
q`Tzal
9 years ago
Reply to  Pete

I’m sure “both side do it”.

/sarcasm

Dylan
Dylan
9 years ago

truck owners can spend their money on whatever they want, just like you can.

9watts
9watts
9 years ago
Reply to  Dylan

Actually, in this specific case the EPA disagrees with that generous-I’m-O.K, you’re-O.K sentiment.

Sheldon
9 years ago

I had my gas Chevy truck impounded by bicycle patrol for just stomping on it in a straight piped gas truck but it also has bunch of e legal mods it was embarrassing getting pulled over by the group I did it to and handcuffed and ticketed and my new truck getting towed dam red lights so its not just diesels bicycle cops are after and there getting sneaky cause they were in biking gear (biking shorts and shirt) I had no idea they were cops till they pulled there badges and cuffs out of one of there poches on their bikes so it would be rad to see bicycle cops stopping more vehicles so i don’t feel left out lol

9watts
9watts
9 years ago
Reply to  Sheldon

You sound like quite a character, Sheldon. Have you biked any since losing your truck?
If you stick around here I think you’ll find that you fit right in.

GlowBoy
GlowBoy
9 years ago

Sheldon, as I asked on the other “Rolling Coal” thread on July 17, what violations did you get ticketed for? A ticket has to be tied to a specific statute.

Opus the Poet
9 years ago
Reply to  GlowBoy

Well just from what little he said her and there i would say he pulled the converter when he removed the muffler and installed the “straight pipes”. That is a towing offense right there.

Veggie Pedaler
Veggie Pedaler
9 years ago

Was crossing Kruse yesterday in Tigard by the 5/217 interchange. Waited about a minute and the walk light went on. First car coming off the 5 south turns in front of me as I’m on my pedals and ready to go, so i wave to the next truck so he can see me. He does and deliberately lays on the gas, giving me a large cloud of black smoke and the third vehicle sees this and runs through the crosswalk as well. What sweethearts.

Like overaged bullies stepping on sand castles. I pity all of them. Sad, hollow souls.

fish
fish
9 years ago

I’m a conservative and own a 96′ diesel. My diesel will “roll coal” if I put my foot into it, but I make sure not to do so to bikers and other vehicles. My reasoning is because it’s inconsiderate, rude. When I am towing a load and going up hill the coal will roll (throttling up=more fuel going in the engine= coal). My reasons for driving a diesel is
1) it gets great fuel mileage ( mine gets 30 miles to the gallon, and 28 pulling a trailer).
2) diesel engines are known to last longer then gas engines ( when I attended heavy duty engine rebuild at PCC they had diesel engines with a million miles on them).
3) they produce less pollution( just because you can’t see the exhaust come out of a gasoline engine doesn’t mean its cleaner. That’s just pure ignorance).
4) ever hear of bio-diesel, I thought going green and recycling was good ?

In conclusion, people need to be more considerate of others and we should all enjoy the freedom of are choices of transportation (bike or diesel).
One thing that I’ve learned from diesel class and experience is the more DEQ accessories you put on a vehicle the more the MPG drop. So doesn’t it make more sense to take it off vehicles to make them more efficient so we are using less fuel?