Posted on 06/02/2007 9:24:08 AM PDT by hoppity
SPRINGFIELD - David Wetzel's "veggie mobile" rolls along, past the digital signs at gas stations that fluctuate almost daily, sending fear into the hearts of motorists.
"I don't pay any attention to them," says Wetzel, who travels about 45 miles for every gallon of free fryer oil he puts into his 1986 Volkswagen Golf.
Wetzel, 79, of Decatur was in a particularly good mood Thursday, after winning another victory in the state legislature.
A bill that Wetzel inspired, which will make it easier to legally drive a vegetable oil-powered vehicle, was unanimously approved by a House committee.
"It's quite exciting. I'm thrilled," Wetzel said, after the hearing ended with an 11-0 vote by committee members.
Senate Bill 267 removes the requirements of licensing and posting bond for private users of vegetable oil. The measure was introduced by state Sen. Frank Watson, R-Greenville. The Senate passed it 58-0.
The bill was sparked by Wetzel's struggle with the Illinois Department of Revenue. After driving his self-converted car for years without any government interference, Wetzel received a home visit from revenue agents. The agency later told Wetzel he needed to be licensed as a fuel supplier and pay a $2,500 bond.
During the hearing, Wetzel provoked laughter from the representatives on the Least Cost Power Procurement Committee, as he told of his interaction with the tax agency.
State Rep. Bob Flider, D-Mount Zion, the committee chairman and initial House sponsor of the bill, introduced Wetzel and his wife, Eileen, as people who are active in their community, especially helping troops overseas as part of Operation Enduring Support.
"To have something happen to great people like this, you want to help them even more," Flider said.
Wetzel recounted the story of how his failure to comply with revenue regulations escalated. When he refused to post the bond, protesting that he was not a motor fuel supplier as he was classified, the revenue department threatened him.
"I was told that I need to quit doing what I'm doing, otherwise I'm subject to a Class 3 felony," he said. "So, somewhere, I needed some help. So, I called Mr. Flider and Mr. Watson, and believe me, they got me some help."
State Rep. Lisa Dugan, D-Kankakee, told Wetzel it was "very joyful" to listen to him.
"Have you considered going to Exxon Mobil to give them some of your tips?" asked Dugan, one of six committee members who signed on as sponsors of the bill.
Rep. Michael Tryon, R-Crystal Lake, commended Wetzel and announced he also wanted to sponsor the bill.
"I think your commitment to an environmental alternative fuel is just an example that is fantastic, something to be encouraged," Tryon said.
Flider said he knows of no opposition to the bill, which he expects to pass the full House within a week or two, before landing on the governor's desk.
"In fact, the Department of Revenue is now supportive," Flider said, adding that the department registered at the hearing as a proponent of the bill. "I am very encouraged that they are now part of the solution."
Huey Freeman can be reached at hfreeman@herald-review.com or 421-6985.
Missed that case. The revenuers oughts be imprisoned for their stunt. Grrrr...
Perhaps the gays of San Francisco will be able to recycle their used Crisco!
VeggieDiesel is a great technology, and very much what Rudolf Diesel intended when he invented the diesel engine and first displayed it at the World’s Fair, using peanut oil.
Oh brother < *rolleyes* > These friggin demoncraps just can't resist taking irrelevant potshots can they?
On an other note. Now we know why oil is the only fuel cars can burn eh? Seems the demoncraps have spent the last 60+ years developing an income stream to support their pork and they don't like that stream threatened.
Privete Enterprise = Lost/ Less Opportunity for State/Federal taxation of cunsumer goods.
These guys can’t do math. Long before any significant number of people can convert to McDiesel, the supply of used cooking oil will be fully used up. Shortly thereafter the owners of this resource will begin charging for it, with the users bidding the price up.
TANSTAAFL, not for very long, anyway.
That’s true, but in the meantime, the waste of used cooking oil will stop.
Used cooking oil is too often dumped down into the sewage system in cities. In Reno, there was a situation about 10 years ago during the winter with a *huge* ball of congealed cooking oil/grease that accumulated at the sewage treatment plant. The plant operators had a heck of a time getting this monster ball (like 6’ in diameter and more) out of the plant’s outside processing ponds, because when you get down to it, getting a grip on a ball of grease is pretty tough.
So I’m all for seeing people burn this stuff as a better disposal method than restaurants just pouring it down the drain. Sure, you won’t have more than 25K people nationwide who can fuel their cars or pickups on the stuff. Let’s just be happy that we’re not paying yet more taxes for a sewage treatment plant to process grease.
How about enabling restaurants to use the oil in tiny diesel generators: co-generation?
This summer I’m converting my pickup to run on safe, renewable and environmentally friendly whale oil. I’m heading over to Ebay right now to look for used harpoon guns.
Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
I suppose you’ve already considered baby oil, weighing the prohibitive cost of state fines after you’ve bagged your limit?
Does someone who burns a gallon of frying oil put less wear and tear on the roads than someone who burns a gallon of diesel fuel?
Why should people who use alternative fuels be exempt from funding road construction and maintenance?
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