Smells like French fries, looks like French Fries, Ummmm... tastes like French Fries:Or so this article says from March 6, 2007 -- "Epiphanies about energy security and fairness notwithstanding, this story certainly reinforces decades worth of conspiracy stories about oil companies quashing competition by lobbying for unfair regulations..." (Laumer, J; 3/6/07)
Illinois Man Fined Thousands And Threatened With Felony Prosecution For Using Untaxed Biodiesel
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 03. 6.07
Business & PoliticsVia Daily Kos Diary, "...David Wetzel, a 79 yr old retired chemist from Decatur IL had been using recycled vegetable oil in his 1985 Volkswagen Golf diesel car for 7 years. This January, " the State of Illinois Dept. of Revenue sent 2 "special agents," Gary May and John Egan to his house. The two agents threatened the couple with felony charges and asked them to post a $2,500 bond!"
According to the Herald & Review, where the full story is explained, a
Republican State Senator has introduced a State bill "...which would curtail government interference regarding alternative fuels, such as vegetable oil..."I would agree that the bond is not acceptable, $2,500 bond," Watson said, adding that David Wetzel should be commended for his innovative efforts." (His car) gets 46 miles per gallon running on vegetable oil. We all should be thinking about doing without gasoline if we're trying to end foreign dependency."" (read the rest at: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/03/illinois_man_fi.php )
If you can't do the time; don't use the... slime?
Decatur man greases skids for veggie oil fuel with state Senate t
estimony
Wetzel told the committee how revenue agents visited his home one morning, telling him he had to pay fuel tax on each gallon of vegetable oil he used. He was later told he had to apply for a supplier's license and post a bond, or he would be charged with a Class 3 felony. Wetzel declined to apply because he did not fit the revenue department's definition of a supplier, which includes storage capacity of at least 30,000 gallons.
"I have no problem paying the taxes, but somehow they've got to make it easy," Wetzel said.
Three other men who have converted their vehicles to run on vegetable oil also attended the hearing.
David Ogden of Shelbyville, owner-operator of a vegetable oil-propelled semi truck, told the senators he was also threatened by the department of revenue with Class 3 felony charges. Class 3 felonies are punishable by up to five years imprisonment.
In an interview, Ogden said an agent once stopped him on the highway, telling him to stop immediately, because he did not have a supplier's license. However, he had that supplier's license.
"They're harassing me," Ogden said. "He's out there swinging his badge around. I was legal, and he didn't even know it." (read the rest at: http://www.herald-review.com/articles/2007/03/02/news/local_news/1021539.txt )
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