Aug 6, 2008 Researched Diesel taxes in WA state law, and found some interesting info: I knew Diesel is taxed at a higher rate, but couldn't find the specific Revised Code of Washington (RCW) addressing it. In Washington state, their taxes for fuel are: 23+5+3+3+2+1.5 = 37.5 cents per gallon and that is in addition to the FEDERAL taxes which are: GAS: 18.4 + 37.5 = 55.9 cents per gallon (washington state) DIESEL: 24.4 + 37.5 = 61.9 cents per gallon (washington state) The per gallon Federal Motor Fuel Excise Tax is 18.4 cents on gasoline, 13.6 cents on LPG, 24.4 cents on diesel fuel, 18.4 cents on gasohol, 19.4 cents on aviation gas, and 4.4 cents on jet fuel. These monies go to the Federal Highway Trust Fund. (from: http://www.sddot.com/geninfo_fuel.asp ) see also: http://www.taxadmin.org/FTA/rate/motor_fl.html WHY IS IT THEN THAT the easiest fuel product to create, Diesel, costs so much more? e.g. this morning, Unleaded Gas was $3.99 (down quite a bit) and Diesel was down to $4.79 that's .80 difference, of which .06 difference is in taxes... Along the way I found this info: ------------------------------------- http://www.leg.wa.gov/documents/LTC/jtc/Freight/20070926UpdateCambridge.pdf see page 9, 10, 15. they cite Gas tax at .184/gal and Diesel at 0.244/gal, then on pg 17, fy2006, they show .31/gal for both gas and Diesel... ??? then we have the additional taxes voted in for road improvements: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=82.36.025 full chapter: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=82.38&full=true#82.38.030 (1) A motor vehicle fuel tax rate of twenty-three cents per gallon on motor vehicle fuel shall be imposed on motor vehicle fuel licensees, other than motor vehicle fuel distributors. (2) Beginning July 1, 2003, an additional and cumulative motor vehicle fuel tax rate of five cents per gallon on motor vehicle fuel shall be imposed on motor vehicle fuel licensees, other than motor vehicle fuel distributors. This subsection (2) expires when the bonds issued for transportation 2003 projects are retired. (3) Beginning July 1, 2005, an additional and cumulative motor vehicle fuel tax rate of three cents per gallon on motor vehicle fuel shall be imposed on motor vehicle fuel licensees, other than motor vehicle fuel distributors. (4) Beginning July 1, 2006, an additional and cumulative motor vehicle fuel tax rate of three cents per gallon on motor vehicle fuel shall be imposed on motor vehicle fuel licensees, other than motor vehicle fuel distributors. (5) Beginning July 1, 2007, an additional and cumulative motor vehicle fuel tax rate of two cents per gallon on motor vehicle fuel shall be imposed on motor vehicle fuel licensees, other than motor vehicle fuel distributors. (6) Beginning July 1, 2008, an additional and cumulative motor vehicle fuel tax rate of one and one-half cents per gallon on motor vehicle fuel shall be imposed on motor vehicle fuel licensees, other than motor vehicle fuel distributors. ---------------------------------------------- a law that could be used against "unlicensed" BioDiesel folks: (see below for specific exemption) http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=82.36.470 (b) Motor vehicle fuel that is blended or manufactured by a person not licensed in this state in accordance with this chapter to blend or manufacture fuel; http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=19.112.010 (3) "Biodiesel fuel" means the monoalkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from plant or animal matter that meet the registration requirements for fuels and fuel additives established by the federal environmental protection agency and standards established by the American society of testing and materials. (7) "Motor fuel" means any liquid product used for the generation of power in an internal combustion engine used for the propulsion of a motor vehicle upon the highways of this state, and any biodiesel fuel. Motor fuels containing ethanol may be marketed if either (a) the base motor fuel meets the applicable standards before the addition of the ethanol or (b) the resultant blend meets the applicable standards after the addition of the ethanol. EXEMPTION OF WVO and BIODiesel: (Senate Bill HB 3188 - enacted into law???) http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2007-08/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/3188.SBR.pdf Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Biodiesel is a good fuel option, because it has less sulfur and is cleaner than diesel. Further, collection of waste vegetable oil for use in the production of biodiesel prevents that oil from polluting the environment as waste. Using waste vegetable oil does not impact the food cycle, because it is an unused byproduct. Production of biodiesel and the exemptions provided in this bill encourages research of alternative fuel sources, like algae.