1) you don't need to modify the engine but you sure do need to extensively modify the entire fuel storage and delivery system on most diesel vehicles.

2) you get caught by driving through a state fuel checkpoint with a bumper sticker that reads " POWERED BY 100% VEGETABLE OIL".

3) The fine is for tax evasion. If there is (any) evidence you evaded tax, you pay the fine.

4) Oil is a globally traded commodity. Events affect the world market, so things that drive up the price of oil in Libya indirectly affect prices we pay for Texas crude -= even if we buy no Libyan oil whatsoever.

The OP said dependence on foreign oil--not "dependence on Middle East oil". According to your article, which appears to be what I remember, although I thought we important more than what it stated from Venezuela, foreign oil consumption by the US approximates 63%. That's a definitely a dependence on foreign oil no matter how you cut it.

Also, of the 32% from OPEC countries it says "most of it comes from Saudi Arabia" whatever the hell that means. So if it is something like 20%, then yes, I'd have to say that's similarly a dependence on Middle Eastern Oil. If 20% of our oil supply dried up tomorrow, I guarantee you wouldn't be happy the next time you went to fill up your gas tank.

Basically, you're wrong. It's not bullshit. Maybe you meant to say something else or you read something in the article that wasn't there. I dunno. But what you stated in the thread is wrong.

Also, your article is claiming something entirely different from what you were.

By this same logic, shouldn't people who walk and take public transport also be fined for not paying fuel taxes?

No. You don't walk in the road. S5 covered fare-paying public transport, and the difference between Straight vegetable oil (SVO)/ Waste vegetable oil (WVO) and biodiesel.

So do people who drive more fuel efficient cars in NC have to pay higher fuel taxes?

Didn't think so.

That guy needs to mix in a few teaspoons of dino diesel, then I don't think the state would have a leg to stand on since he would be paying taxes on at least some of his fuel. He would just need to change his bumper sticker to "Goodbye 99% of OPEC".

Jeep does make diesels. Look at the 05 and up Liberty's, diesel is any optional engine.

i am a highway contractor, and i live soley off of tax dollars, all of the projects i work on are fully government funded. i like the gas tax, sometimes i think it is getting a bad rap, when gas goes over 3.50 a gallon, but remember, most states have per gallon rates, not a percentage on the total sale, so, if it were 1.50 a gallon or 3.50 a gallon, you are still paying your 29.5 cents per gallon, no change. here in michigan, they add sales tax to it also, which irks people, but if the 6-8% you pay on the extra $2 a fill up really hurts you, you have bigger problems than that,

a little story problem: your car take 15 gallons to fill, you fill up once a week. that is 780 gallons a year. you are happy to pay 2.40 a gallon, but unhappy at 3.40 a gallon. that extra buck is just killing you, sure that is $780 over a year, work an extra hour a week to cover it, don't be a slacker. of that $780 you pay extra a year, included in that is sales tax, 6% here in michigan, so $46.80 goes to taxes and $733.20 goes to pay for gas. of the hundreds of thousands of drivers in michigan, that $46.80 of taxes you pay each year add up to a nice chunck on change for public schools, health care, and/or any of the other state programs. so, if you bitch about the taxes on gas, please don't bitch when your child's school goes to 40 kids per classroom, or closes.

now back to the gas tax: i do not want to go to a plan that has been floated, a mileage tax. each year, when you go to pay for your plate for your car, you pay a per mile fee, read right from your odometer. this is brought on by more efficient cars, i see the goverments bitch "hey you drive the same miles, but don't buy the gas to pay for it"

personally, i feel that if you spend the money to convert to veg. oil, you should still pay a fuel tax, because i believe that it is technically called a fuel tax, fuel could be gasoline, ethonal, desiel, veg. oil, or cow shit, if your car is fuelled by it, pay the tax.

now my bitch about the guy buying veg. oil from costco.. dumb ass, go to your local fast food place, arrange with them to pick up their used oil for free, it is better for fuel anyways, they would be happy to give it to you, because they pay for it to be taken away. and then pay your 29.5 cents a gallon to the state.

people, please remember, you get what you pay for.. roads and bridges are costly, and you use them all the time.. that extra $5 you might pay a year with an increased fuel tax is still a hell of a lot cheaper than a bent rim or a needed alignment caused by a terrible road.

my two cents..

not fined, they do pay the fuel tax, it is in the fare they pay for using the bus, or train. you don't think all costs are not covered by the fare?!

If I understand correctly, they're fining this guy because they don't have a system set up for taxing alternative fuels.

Lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicles cause less road damage, and thus cost the government less in repairs per mile traveled.

It dosen't remotely work like that.

i know in the state of michigan, if you buy something online, and do not pay the sales tax there, you must (by law) pay them when you fill out all the other tax forms for April 15th, but how many of us do that?! i am sure there is a form somewhere that can be filled out and taxes paid. taxes are fun that way.