Driver ticketed for using biofuel

newsobserver.com Driver ticketed for using biofuel: "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."

Like computer technology a decade ago, energy independence technology is changing faster than the laws that aim to regulate it.

I am surprised to say the least. If you threw the words "illegal fuel" at me, I'd think you were talking about automotive racing. In fact, the story has a racing link:

"Teixeira's story began near Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 14. As recreational vehicles streamed in for race week, revenue investigators were checking fuel tanks of diesel RVs for illegal fuel."

And in February, Michael Waltrip was caught using illegal fuel in a NASCAR race. But that was a different kind of illegal fuel.

Vegetable Oil Fuel is Illegal: "According the Environmental Protection Agency (the EPA) operating a vehicle with a non-approved fuel delivery system is a violation of Federal regulations. Although the EPA has never prosecuted anyone for operating a vehicle powered by vegetable oil, the regulations in 40CFR state that alternative fuel systems must be approved by the EPA in passenger cars and light trucks before they can be used on-road."