permaculture

[Marimike6@cs.com]

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 has been told to expect 
another $1,000 fine from the federal government.

To legally use veggie oil, state officials told him, he would have to first 
post a $2,500 bond. 

Teixeira is one of a growing number of fuel-it-yourselfers -- backyard 
brewers who recycle restaurant grease or make moonshine for their car tanks. 
They do 
it to save money, reduce pollution or thumb their noses at oil sheiks.

They're also caught in a web of little-known state laws that can stifle 
energy independence. [.....]

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/599471.html

"...officials say they'll keep pursuing taxes on all fuels used in highway 
vehicles. With its 29.9-cent a gallon gas tax, the state collects $1.2 
billion 
each year to pay for road construction."

Damn hippies...