For the WTF files, via Groovy Green, I came across this bit of idiotic news in the Charlotte Observer:
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’s been told to expect another $1,000 fine from the federal government.
And to legally use veggie oil, state officials told him, he would have to first post a $2,500 bond.
Aren’t we supposed to be promoting creativity when it comes to weaning ourselves off oil? This guy deserves at least 15 minutes of fame and a token prize, rather than a Chinese water torture of administrative fines and fees.