SENATE, No. 2418

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

216th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED SEPTEMBER 18, 2014

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator  LINDA R. GREENSTEIN

District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Prohibits retrofitting diesel-powered vehicles to increase particulate emissions for the purpose of "coal rolling"; prohibits the practice of "coal rolling."

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  

An Act concerning certain retrofits to diesel-powered vehicles and supplementing P.L.2005, c.219 (C.26:2C-8.26 et al.).

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    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.

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill prohibits, and establishes penalties for:

     1)    retrofitting 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; and

     2)    purposely releasing significant quantities of soot, smoke, or other particulate emissions into the air and onto roadways and other vehicles while operating the vehicle. 

     The bill would prohibit "coal rolling" - the practice of intentionally releasing thick, black diesel smoke and soot from smokestacks on specially retrofitted diesel-powered trucks, which has gained some popularity recently.  Coal rolling increases air pollution in the State and creates unsafe driving conditions on New Jersey's already congested roadways.