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“Powered By 100% Vegetable Oil” Bumper Sticker Triggers $1K Fine! |
24 Comments |
| By Michael d'Estries in BioFuel, Biodiesel, Green Living | June 12, 2007 | ||
Today’s world of “choice” for what you can use to power your vehicle may in fact cost you lots of money. As one man found out in Charlotte, NC simply promoting your independence from oil can cost you thousands of dollars. From the article,
“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’s been told to expect another $1,000 fine from the federal government. And to legally use veggie oil, state officials told him, he would have to first post a $2,500 bond.”
Holy shit! We should be exempting these people from oil taxes, not punishing them! Unfortunately, most state laws have strict penalties for those that do not partake from the traditional pump. It’s almost like the Spanish Inquisition has come to the fuel industry. States understandably receive an immense amount of money from taxing fuel to help pay for road repair costs. Still, a $2,500 bond, $1,000 fine, and another $1K from the federal government? It’s enough to make any American think twice about making the switch. Then again, that’s probably the entire point.
Word to the wise: If you use veggie oil, make sure your bumper sticker reads “100% Powered By Big Oil & Loving It!” You’ll probably actually receive a check…..
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Powering Your Car By 100% Veggie Oil Can Get You Fined. | The Good Human said,
[...] I just came across an interesting blurb on GroovyGreen that links to a story in Charlotte, NC about a man who ran his car on 100% vegetable oil…and was fined $1,000 by the state for not paying “motor fuel taxes”. Seems the guy had a bumper sticker on his car that said he was powered by veggie oil and got pulled over at a raceway! [...]
Anonymous said,
Man gets a hefty fine for using van powered by earth-friendly veggie oil….
Sad to say, but a man with a van, has been fined over $4,000 for using veggie oil, instead of big oil. This is not the way to urge eco-friendly transportation. Read on….
citizengreen said,
I would like to note that The N.C. Department of Revenue’s motor fuels tax division has a toll-free number: 877-308-9092. Call them and let them know what you think about this.
Anonymous said,
Powered By 100% Vegetable Oil Bumper Sticker Triggers $1K Fine!…
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, fro…
Keetsa! Blog - Eco-Friendly and Green » Blog Archive » Man with Groovy Van Gets Fined for Using Veggie Oil said,
[...] As reported in Groovy Green (one of my fave blogs) a man with a van in Charlotte, North Carolina was fined $2,000 for using a veggie-oil powered van. He has been fined $1,000 from his home state, plus a $2,500 bond if he wants to continue using this alternative earth-friendly fuel source, and the government will also be slapping him with a fine for another $1,000 for not paying “motor fuel taxes”. [...]
tushy said,
I agree with the state of NC.
Anyone who powers their motor vehicle with soybeans is an eco-moron. Soy is a land-destroying crop, heavily subsidized by the government, and fossil fuel intensive. This idiot should have his license removed as well.
Keetsa! Blog - Eco-Friendly and Green » Blog Archive » Martha Stewart Compiles, Easy Go Green Checklist said,
[...] I came across a Go Green Checklist from Martha Stewart, that lists “101 Ways to Get Started“, here is a sample of some of the items that can be found on the list. [...]
Hun Boon said,
This reminds me of a similar ridiculous situation in Singapore, where hybrid cars have a higher road tax than their petrol counterparts of equivalent capacity!
Why is Singapore Discouraging Hybrid Cars? « Eco-Friendly Bamboo Floors by Star Bamboo Singapore said,
[...] It’s almost as absurd as the state of North Carolina fining a motorist US$1000 for using environmentally friendly bio-diesel in his converted van. [...]
Oil Owl & Bio Brody said,
America, Land of the Black gold and Black market gov, I just gotta say im not from america. America is being bought…Did you notice with the outsourcing that you guys are turning into a 3rd world country. Look at it this way…Your not making ANY revenue due to outsourcing…..china can kill your countries whole currency…canada’s currency is passing yours!!!!! omg…haha i just laugh at america… God bless america* *prices and participation may vary.
Mike The Actuary’s Musings » Alternative Fuel Disincentive Du Jour said,
[...] For the WTF files, via Groovy Green, I came across this bit of idiotic news in the Charlotte Observer: 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. [...]
Susan said,
Just crazy!
G said,
…just an FYI… .
I live in the USA! That is United States of America; in case you didn’t know.
It can be seen that a ‘first priority’ we have here, in the US, (if you wanna shorten it) is to remember that ‘that’ is the name of Our Country (…that’s another story…no worries even the prez of the US calls the country ‘America’).
America is a geographical region, not the name of a country.
Yeah, yeah, yeah….So, later…
Dracona said,
I’m from the US, and it’s amazing sometimes to see the widespread breakdown in simple logic from bureaucrats. Oil is in industry that’s going to die a painful death, and probably manage to take quite a few economies and governments with it, not to mention the economic harm. It’s really ridiculous to think that someone can be taxed for *not* buying a product (motor oil, in this case). It’s so silly to see the government dragging it’s heels on finding an economic alternative to oil, to the extent of punishing consumers who try.
By the way, I’ve heard that it is possible to use the oil used by fast food restaurants, especially Asian restaurants who typically use a higher quality oil. Restaurants must pay to get rid of their used oil, so you can get it from them free (you could probably charge them if so inclined but this would probably require permits and the like), strain it, and use in your converted vehicle. Not sure of the facts, but it’s interesting to think that it could be done.
Greg Brum said,
Why not find out who to pay, and how the taxes are calculated and pay ‘em? perhaps NC would ‘forgive’ the fines if he offfered to pay his fuel taxes. It’s worth a try.
news reader said,
Thats the stupidest thing ive read all day, but i didnt know soy bean was worse than oil for the enviroment. great read
Moonlgting said,
So does this mean that if I ride my bike to work, I can be fined for “avoiding the fuel tax”???
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BRIAN said,
Just goes to show you how BIG GOVERNMENT and BIG OIL work well together. It’s a wonder they didn’t slap some other fine on him for puting the wvo (WASTE VEGETABLE OIL) in a foreign car. Mr diesel actually designed the diesel motor to run on peanut oil. At that time petro was cheaper. PEAK OIL IS HERE !
Thom said,
Big government pays for big asphalt roadways with lots of little taxes on big oil products. Not a big deal. If this fellow had instead burnt his alternative carbon fuel in his lawn mower then I think that none of this would be a big deal. Just a random thought: I don’t know of anyone who has been busted for piloting a tofu powered bicycle.
WVO Centrifuge said,
Nice post!! bookmarked the site.. really helpful.
Stickers Honda said,
A 1k fine for that? that is insane! I say, everyone put one of those on your vehicle!
Amina said,
Read this short story from Cafe Magazine about a Chicago man who filtered vegetable oil waste and used it in a biodiesel engine – cheaper and with lower emissions. It’s called “Vegetable Oil Upgraded” and you can find it here: http://www.cafemagazine.com/index.php/archives/165-vegetable-oil-upgraded.
Your friend from Cafe,
Amina
Estima - land of the free home of the brave said,
[...] of the free home of the brave north carolina,loves veggie “Powered By 100% Vegetable Oil” Bumper Sticker Triggers $1K Fine! GroovyGreen.com –… __________________ if i was a carpenter,i would use a 48lbs sledgehammer,quite nice [...]