WVO is Exempt in WA - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

bluebird · #1 02-04-2009, 01:35 PM

Well I was ready to go back to the Legislature again this year to try to get WVO as a fuel exempted from road use taxes, but I do not have to. Representative Dan Roach's administrative assistant contacted the Department of Licensing or Revenue and was emailed the following response.

Administratively we accept Waste Vegetable Oil as “biodiesel” even though the exemption states: “(k) Waste vegetable oil as defined under RCW 82.08.0205 if the oil is used to manufacture biodiesel.” The manufacturing v. processing to use WVO was not significant and the intent of the law was to exempt the WVO. We do exempt the WVO from tax as long it is for personal use only. The WVO sold as a fuel is subject to tax.

We are exempt for road use tax, that is a wonderful thing.

Here is the link to the bill that passed and became effective on July 1, 2008.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summ...3188&year=2007

Graplr · #2 02-04-2009, 01:51 PM

And....flame war on.

oldsinner111 · #3 02-04-2009, 02:03 PM

Mine too.I love the way it smells.

John Schroader · #4 02-04-2009, 02:41 PM

If only Kentucky was so forward thinking. On another note, we have had disasterous ice storms here in KY. Thousands and thousands without electricity. generators are being hauled in by the truckload. I hooked up my WVO burning van to a 250 watt inverter and have lights, etc. from french fry oil. Cheap running and smells good too.

cphilip · #5 02-04-2009, 06:49 PM

The EPA still does not recognize it as a road fuel...

According to your own states law, if you buy it, it is subject to Fuel Tax. If you sell it, it is subject to fuel tax

But... the EPA still does not recognize it as a road fuel. Taxes are one thing. EPA another. And one federal group you do not want to piss off is the EPA. So keep it on the down low people.

KAdams4458 · #6 02-04-2009, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cphilip

The EPA still does not recognize it as a road fuel...

According to your own states law, if you buy it, it is subject to Fuel Tax. If you sell it, it is subject to fuel tax

But... the EPA still does not recognize it as a road fuel. Taxes are one thing. EPA another. And one federal group you do not want to piss off is the EPA. So keep it on the down low people.

Now that you mention that, it seems to me that it may be the reason that WA made it read the way that it does. I'm happy with the outcome, even though I have no intention of running WVO in my car. I will, however, happily convert WVO in to biodiesel and run that legally. It's pretty easy to pay federal road taxes on the biodiesel.

Incidentally, the whole road tax thing gets really convoluted when it comes to road taxes, as my research has shown that the Feds make no distinction between WVO and biodiesel when it comes to paying road tax. They think of WVO as biodiesel, just like WA now does. So, an honest law abiding guy that wants to run WVO can easily pay road taxes to the Feds, but the EPA still says it is a no-no, and will be happy to nail someone to a cross for it.

Sometimes I wish the government had shins - At least then I would have something to kick when they do stuff like this.

cphilip · #7 02-04-2009, 07:54 PM

I hope the EPA has better things to do than this.. but... ya never know. And with the new emphasis on alternate fuels one could hope for a turn the other way or even a clarification or even better yet a favorable ruling some day.

Heck... last I read the EPA did not approve 100% Bio Diesel EITHER as a road fuel. Only B20.

pizzachef · #8 02-04-2009, 10:39 PM

Bluebird,
I remember reading last year on the frybrid forums about all of the time and effort you put into this cause. Thanks for being so diligent with this issue, I hope other states can follow the same trend. If I ever get the time and gumption to do something similar in Pennsylvania, I'll be contacting you for advice.

MBNRA · #9 02-04-2009, 11:42 PM

And just where is the money that fixes roads in Washington supposed to come from? The last time I was there in July, Washington had the worst roads I've ever seen in any state in the last 10 years!

rcounts · #10 02-05-2009, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBNRA

And just where is the money that fixes roads in Washington supposed to come from? The last time I was there in July, Washington had the worst roads I've ever seen in any state in the last 10 years!

LOL! Then you haven't driven the freeways through Idaho! I do every time I go to Moab, and let me tell you, they are W-A-A-A-Y worse...

As for collecting fuel taxes to fix roads, we have one of the highest fuel taxes in the country, BUT state law has allowed it to go into the general fund. Over the last 20 years they've collected BILLIONS (with a "B") in fuel taxes and haven't even come close to doing an equal amount of road building or repairs.

I don't feel the least bit bad about not giving them even more money to flush down the toilet the way they do...

KAdams4458 · #11 02-05-2009, 02:35 AM

Yeah, I think WA buys one gallon of road marker paint each year, and thins it down enough to cover all of the roads. What they do with all of the "road" taxes they collect is beyond me.

You know how in some states you'll see a five man work crew out on the road, and four are drinking coffee and watching the one guy with a shovel? Here we have twelve guys on a crew, and all twelve of them sip coffee and watch the shovel lay there. Ugh.

hey_allen · #12 02-05-2009, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KAdams4458

Yeah, I think WA buys one gallon of road marker paint each year, and thins it down enough to cover all of the roads. What they do with all of the "road" taxes they collect is beyond me.

The last news report I heard about WA "budget" was that 75% of the general fund was going to welfare type programs here in the state.

I'd happily take my toys and go elsewhere, but honestly, I can't see any other state being all that much better. They just tend to hide the idiocy in different places!

TchTchr · #13 02-05-2009, 09:24 AM

Time for Bluebird to fly to DC and do some chirping there!

MBNRA · #14 02-05-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hey_allen

The last news report I heard about WA "budget" was that 75% of the general fund was going to welfare type programs here in the state.

I'd happily take my toys and go elsewhere, but honestly, I can't see any other state being all that much better. They just tend to hide the idiocy in different places!

Oh, trust me! Almost any place would be better! I moved out when my taxes going into the general fund were going to a new welfare program, keeping alcoholics and drunks in taxpayer paid for apartments, free food stamps, utility checks and a monthly stipend of $600!

Gee, I don't want to work either, I just want to play with my toys and drink beer all day and have everyone else support me!

KAdams4458 · #15 02-05-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBNRA

Oh, trust me! Almost any place would be better! I moved out when my taxes going into the general fund were going to a new welfare program, keeping alcoholics and drunks in taxpayer paid for apartments, free food stamps, utility checks and a monthly stipend of $600!

Gee, I don't want to work either, I just want to play with my toys and drink beer all day and have everyone else support me!

Only $600? Somehow I suspect that only covers the beer for a month if you skimp on buying toothpaste and other hygiene products. Wait. Eww! I just realised where the Tacoma Aroma really comes from!

It could be worse, I suppose. Still, there are a lot of things that this state does that just make me want to bang my head on a wall. Now they're discussing adding an income tax, as if they don't get enough of my money. I'm sorry, but if they want more money from me, they better demonstrate an ability to stop wasting what I already give to them.

Sorry, this post sort of turned in to a rant.