Think you can use vegetable oil for your car and not pay a dime? It many be more expensive than you think when cash strapped states start going after those who use alternative fuels!
Consider, David Wetzel, a 79 yr old retired chemist from Decatur IL. He's been using recycled vegetable oil to "gas up" his 1985 Volkswagen Golf diesel car for 7 years. He has shown off his car in energy fairs, universities and exhibits. In Jan, the IL 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! Why? What did these alleged criminals do?
Mr. and Mrs. Wetzel had the nerve to go to local restaurants, collect the used veggie oil, and make his own biodiesel (gasp) for his car! Since, they did not pay for the gas at a pump, they were paying no taxes. Hence, a bill for about $244.24. Mr. Wetzel agreed to pay it.
David Wetzel, again agreed to pay and complete the complex application forms. He was told:
...contact a revenue official and apply for a license as a "special fuel supplier" and "receiver."
He then completed more application forms. He was sent a letter directing him to send in a $2,500 bond. Two weeks later, Mr. Wetzel was shocked when he was threatened and told if he didn't comply he would be charged with a Class 3 Felony (up to 5 yrs in jail):
"must immediately stop operating as a special fuel supplier and receiver until you receive special fuel supplier and receiver licenses."
However, read the State of IL Revenue site for its definition of a receiver or supplier:
Receiver
A person who either produces, refines, blends, compounds, or manufactures fuel in this state, or transports fuel into this state or receives fuel transported to him from without the state or exports fuel out of this state, or who is engaged in this state in the distribution of fuel primarily by tank car or tank truck, or both, and who operates an Illinois bulk plant where he has active bulk storage capacity of not less than 30,000 gallons for gasoline.
Huh? Mr. Wetzel does not receive nor take 30,000 gallons of vegetable oil. So, the licenses they are demanding him to possess are not applicable! Wouldn't he, therefore be exempt? It was impossible for him to comply. Hence, the "special agents" at his door.
David Wetzel muses that hybrid cars are exempt when they run under electric power. Why should it be any different?
As State Rep. Bob Flider, D-Mount Zion, said of this case:
"The people at the department of revenue apparently feel they need to regulate him in some way. We want to make sure that he is as free as he can be to use vegetable oil. He's an example of ingenuity. Instead of being whacked on the head, he should be encouraged."
Let's hope Flider and others in government move to encourage people like Wetzel instead of threatening them.
Could it be that low cost cheaper alternative fuels is a threat to state/local governments? The cheaper the fuel means less tax (revenue) will be collected. The same for energy saving light bulbs and solar panels. What will be taxed to make up for our own efficiency?
thanks- vassmer
UPDATE: This was just released on GoogleNews.
David Wetzel spoke in front of a Senate Revenue Committee. Deomocrats and Republicans praised him with one lawmaker calling him, "ingenious."
Sadly, he isn't the only one who has been hounded by revenue agents. One man testified he was followed and asked to produce a supplier license. Another man said he was told to register as a "foreign corporation!"
The committee:
....awarded Wetzel, 79, a stunning victory, unanimously approving a Senate bill that would remove the bond requirement for those who use cooking oil in their private vehicles.
Now, the fight isn't over. It must approved by the full IL house and senate. Personally, I have a good feeling about this because it appears both parties seem appalled this has happened. I want the story spread far and wide to make sure the bill does go through.
IL, like many states, has a habit of stalling important bills or burying them out of petty differences or graft......