Thinking of Helping with the Fuel Crisis? Don't.

If you're in California, better check with the state gummint first.

David Eck didn't. He took it upon himself to convert his vehicles so that they would be fueled by "used fryer grease from a local chowder house."

Well, you see the problem don't you. Now the state wants all sorts of fines and back taxes from Mr Eck:

He didn't get a diesel fuel suppliers license.

He didn't report quarterly how many gallons of grease he burns.

He didn't pay a tax on each gallon.

He didn't pay an 18¢ road tax for each gallon he used.

And he didn't get a license to carry away kitchen grease from the California Meat and Poultry Inspection Branch.

Ah, the land of the semi-free and the home of the frustrated.