Contact your Local Senator and Delegates to Ban Rolling Coal in Maryland

For the second year in a row, Delegate Clarence Lam (Democrat District 12, Howard/Baltimore County) has introduced a bill (HB-11) to make rolling coal illegal in Maryland. And what is rolling coal?   

“Rollin’ Coal” Is Pollution Porn For Dudes With Pickup Trucks

http://www.vocativ.com/culture/society/dicks-pick-trucks-meme-rollin-coal/

Rolling Coal on the Corner

‘Rolling Coal’ in Diesel Trucks, to Rebel and Provoke

By HIROKO TABUCHI, New York Times (SEPT. 4, 2016)

MONTROSE, Colo. — There is a new menace on America’s roads: diesel truck drivers who soup up their engines and remove their emissions controls to “roll coal,” or belch black smoke, at pedestrians, cyclists, and unsuspecting Prius drivers.

Depending on whom you ask, rolling coal is a juvenile prank, a health hazard, a stand against rampant environmentalism, a brazen show of American freedom. Coal rollers’ frequent targets: walkers, joggers, cyclists, hybrid and Asian cars and even police officers. A popular bumper sticker reads “Prius Repellent.”

State legislatures, as well as local law enforcement agencies, are starting to take action. Last year, New Jersey became the first state to explicitly ban rolling coal, going beyond the federal laws that already prohibit drivers from tinkering with emissions controls. A similar bill is on the table in Illinois, while Colorado and Maryland have defeated proposed bans.

But to diesel owners like Corey Blue of Roanoke, Ill., the very efforts to ban coal rolling represent the worst of government overreach and environmental activism. “Your bill will not stop us!” Mr. Blue wrote to Will Guzzardi, a state representative who has proposed a $5,000 fine on anyone who removes or alters emissions equipment.

“Why don’t you go live in Sweden and get the heck out of our country,” Mr. Blue wrote.” I will continue to roll coal anytime I feel like and fog your stupid eco-cars.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/05/business/energy-environment/rolling-coal-in-diesel-trucks-to-rebel-and-provoke.html?_r=0

Voice Your Opinion

Please contact your representatives in Annapolis to put a stop to this odious practice. Click on the link below for an easy webform to communicate with all your legislators at once. Be sure to reference “HB11, Vehicle Laws – Causing Diesel Emissions to Discharge Onto Another – Prohibition”.  A hearing is scheduled for Thursday, January 26, at 2:00 pm, before the House Environment and Transportation Committee.

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmmain.aspx?pid=legisrpage&tab=subject6&poptype=find&popid=

Featured Image at Top of Post

http://ddgecummins.tumblr.com/post/53241049743/lovin-this-truck