From: Stephen Grammont (islander@midmaine.com)
Date: Thu Apr 27 2006 - 17:51:57 PDT
> It wouldn't surprise me one bit if I heard tomorrow that the Feds are
> now taxing any vehicle fuel that isn't already taxed.
Yup, it wouldn't surprise me either. However, there is reason to hope
that it won't happen.
At this point the effort needed to tax the "homebrew" Biodiesel
movement is simply not worth it. The quantities being made are small,
the people are spread out all over the place, and it is very difficult
to track. The same thing applies to homebrew beer, wine, and spirits.
Even though people have been doing this forever, there are no taxes for
even rather huge annual quantities (several hundred gallons last time I
checked). But as soon as you want to sell it, the regulatory beast
must be involved. Not only for taxes but also to ensure accountability
(would the audience PLEASE stop snickering... I'm serious. That's what
they say!). The same thing applies to Biodiesel. You can make as much
as you want for yourself. You can give it away to anybody you want.
No taxes, no regulations other than those that apply to the chemicals
themselves. But charge anything for it and you are in violation of the
law unless you are a licensed fuel manufacture with all the headaches
and regulations that entails. Oh, and costs. Did I forget to mention
costs? :-)
Steve
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