Driver ticketed for using biofuel

[Rescuediver]

That truely sucks if it's true...

[alby]

Originally Posted by jphelzer

newsobserver.com | Driver ticketed for using biofuel

"Bob Teixeira decided it was time to take a stand against U.S. dependence on foreign oil.So last fall the Charlotte musician and guitar instructor spent $1,200 to convert his 1981 diesel Mercedes to run on vegetable oil. He bought soybean oil in 5-gallon jugs at Costco, spending about 30 percent more than diesel would cost. His reward, from a state that heavily promotes alternative fuels: a $1,000 fine last month for not paying motor fuel taxes. He has been told to expect another $1,000 fine from the federal government. To legally use veggie oil, state officials told him, he would have to first post a $2,500 bond. Teixeira is one of a growing number of fuel-it-yourselfers -- backyard brewers who recycle restaurant grease or make moonshine for their car tanks. They do it to save money, reduce pollution or thumb their noses at oil sheiks. They're also caught in a web of little-known state laws that can stifle energy independence."



Nice

Think of the lost revenue to the state if everybody stopped using Gasoline/Diesel and began running Veggie Oil? That tax revenue the government depends on has to come from somewhere.

You may no longer send money to Saudi Arabia. But you are still going to have to pay the local tax man.

[passthrough]

I know there are places that sell commercially produced B100 bio-diesel. How would the tester know that it was home brew versus commercially produced??

Glen

[BigGreen06]

Originally Posted by passthrough

I know there are places that sell commercially produced B100 bio-diesel. How would the tester know that it was home brew versus commercially produced??

Glen

That's a good point, I too would like to know the answer.

-BG06.

[rajharley]

Originally Posted by passthrough

I know there are places that sell commercially produced B100 bio-diesel. How would the tester know that it was home brew versus commercially produced??

Glen

That is a good question. Of course if you bought it from the commercial dealer then he has already paid the taxes on that fuel and passed the cost on down to the consumer. But you are right. What do they expect us to do? Keep every reciept for biodiesel that we buy to prove that the taxes were paid on it? I am planning on going the vegistroker route in the near future. Better have a search warrant if they want to see what is in the fuel tank in my bed when I convert mine to work on veggie. And if they want to take the time to pull my fuel filter then that is fine too. This crap makes me mad. DO they tax those little electric ars that use no fuel at all? They have to plug them in at the house to charge them up. I don't expect that they are paying a road tax on that vehicle to drive it on public streets. Even though those vehicles look gay enough that driving one is punishment enough in my opinion.

[okstroker]

Originally Posted by rajharley

That is a good question. Of course if you bought it from the commercial dealer then he has already paid the taxes on that fuel and passed the cost on down to the consumer. But you are right. What do they expect us to do? Keep every reciept for biodiesel that we buy to prove that the taxes were paid on it? I am planning on going the vegistroker route in the near future. Better have a search warrant if they want to see what is in the fuel tank in my bed when I convert mine to work on veggie. And if they want to take the time to pull my fuel filter then that is fine too. This crap makes me mad. DO they tax those little electric ars that use no fuel at all? They have to plug them in at the house to charge them up. I don't expect that they are paying a road tax on that vehicle to drive it on public streets. Even though those vehicles look gay enough that driving one is punishment enough in my opinion.

x2! I still buy diesel for my truck to warm it up and to kill it as the diesel flushes the veggie oil back into the rear tank. So i still pay taxes but not as much And the veggie oil had taxes paid on it before it was used to cook. All i did was take it and clean it and burn it. Its like putting trash in my tank and nothing they can do about it.

[dercody]

yeah, you know the government considers it stealing when you exercise the rights of ALL citizens to avoid paying taxes!! besides we pay plenty with all the other taxes we pay. if I were you (the guy going vegistroke) get the tank in one of those locking tool boxes. then yeah, they would have to get a warrant for that to check the "tool" box.

[rajharley]

that is how I feel about it. Just because I go from filling my diesel tank once a week to only having to fill it up once every 6-8 weeks should not matter. I have looked at the Ohio laws on this though and it stated that alternative fuels would be exempt from tax. So I do not see me having any problems back home.

[alby]

A few people running grease won't be an issue with the State. But if "millions" start running grease, believe me, the State will find something to tax to make up the shortfall. They might not tax grease, but I could see them raising sales taxes, food taxes, cellfone taxes, etc... They'll get their money back somewhere.

[rajharley]

Originally Posted by alby

A few people running grease won't be an issue with the State. But if "millions" start running grease, believe me, the State will find something to tax to make up the shortfall. They might not tax grease, but I could see them raising sales taxes, food taxes, cellfone taxes, etc... They'll get their money back somewhere.

yep....you are right. I can even see that eventually these restaurants that PAY to have their used oil disposed of will soon catch on and will re-sell the used stuff to a collection and distribution company. THis might be a good market to get into. Collect it, refine it and then re-sell it as fuel to the veggie consumer. Then it would be taxed and all legal. But I hope to undercut the guy who is charging what ever amount he is charging to the restaurants when I get home so that the restaurant will pay me to take it away for them cheaper than the other guy. Imagine that. Pay me to take it away and I refine it for use as fuel!!!! funny. until the restaurants get wise to it.