Massachusetts fining vegetable oil burners

[Wheaties]

I just heard this on NPR. MA is sniffing out trucks running vegetable oil and fining them for not paying the fuel tax. Isn't that a fine catch-22? We don't sell it and tax it, so if you use it, you're breaking the law!



What's wrong with saving a few bucks with a cleaner burning fuel? Maybe if the state government got a clue, they'd realize the price of fuel is badly over-inflated due to the heavy taxes placed on it.



What do you guys think?



Matt

 

[Ted Constantine]

so matt what are they doing going around and sniffing for trucks that smell like popcorn farts



Ted

 

[Shovelhead]

Originally posted by Ted Constantine

so matt what are they doing going around and sniffing for trucks that smell like popcorn farts



Ted

No, but a bottle of Wesson oil is now gonna cost $25. 00 due to the Road Tax.

 

[illflem]

Yep, and cooking oil will all be dyed red.

 

[Wheaties]

Yep, the fryolater supplier is going to make a mint in the black market. "Hey buddy, wanna buy some really kickin' canola?"



"Honest officer, I was just transporting that oil for a buddy of mine that runs a restaurant... I would never put it in my tank... no, no, no!"

 

[Pit Bull]

I wonder if burning that stuff lowers your cholesterol level when you are following the truck? :-laf

 

[RoryTek]

And to think, I thought the d***heads here in Calif. we're Nazis. Run red fuel and bio-diesel to hell with the taxes.

Boy I'm glad I'm going to the October showdown Friday.

 

[LarryB]

Originally posted by illflem

Yep, and cooking oil will all be dyed red.

Don't eat the doughnuts!!!

 

[HEYBOSS]

Originally posted by Wheaties

I just heard this on NPR. MA is sniffing out trucks running vegetable oil and fining them for not paying the fuel tax. Isn't that a fine catch-22? We don't sell it and tax it, so if you use it, you're breaking the law!



What's wrong with saving a few bucks with a cleaner burning fuel? Maybe if the state government got a clue, they'd realize the price of fuel is badly over-inflated due to the heavy taxes placed on it.



What do you guys think?



Matt

I think somebody is smoking something:-laf

 

[Texas Diesel]

Originally posted by illflem

Yep, and cooking oil will all be dyed red.

That is very funny , but dont put it past big brother to do that.

 

[Wheaties]

About the closest parallel I can think of is moonshine. All liquor is taxed, if you make your own, it is against the law because it evades the liquor tax.



Then again, if you pay a sales tax on your food, why aren't you fined if you grow your own?



Does anyone have any knowlege as to what basis the state government sees fit to fine people who use an alternate fuel?

 

[illflem]

The fuel tax is supposed to be for fixing roads, law enforcement, etc. but you would hardly know by the condition of some highways. Seems like the state should have some basis to fine if you use the roads but don't help pay to maintain them. Of course this in a perfect world where $600 toilet seats don't exist.

 

[nh2112]

Originally posted by Wheaties

Does anyone have any knowlege as to what basis the state government sees fit to fine people who use an alternate fuel?

Yeah - the basis that they have the guns, and if they have their way you won't have yours much longer.

 

[Blakers]

They don't tax the Amish buggies around here that tear up the roads more than anything else. Steel tires on their wheels and hardened horseshoes do a number on the pavement.



Blake

 

[Wheaties]

So the Amish should have to pay a fine for using hay as an alternate fuel that hasn't been properly taxed!

 

[americana]

carrying this too far....

and how about those electric vehicles? no road tax on electricity last i checked. oops.....

 

[SnoDawg]

They can always dye the nontaxed hay red also

 

[78repowerwagon]

Originally posted by Wheaties

So the Amish should have to pay a fine for using hay as an alternate fuel that hasn't been properly taxed!

Maybe they can tax the methane coming out the exhaust.

 

[JConley]

Have a biodiesel powered generator running electrical motors to power the car. Its electric, so would the fuel be taxable?