I'm doing some serious research and starting to accumulate parts to build an appleseed biodiesel setup. I've got the process figured out and now have some legallity questions.

Is there any documentation needed for taking a restaraunts waste oil (dep or epa regulations on disposal)?

What sort of taxes are involved?

Are there any limits on how much I can make?

I'm sure I'll have a lot more questions that I cant think of right now

I'm in Southern CT so if anybody knows the way things work here I would greatly appreciate it!!

-Kyle

It varies by state. Cali. (of course) requires a permit and 1 mill. in liability ins. That takes care of the homebrewers there. Guess who pushed that law??

I'm doing some serious research and starting to accumulate parts to build an appleseed biodiesel setup. I've got the process figured out and now have some legallity questions.

Is there any documentation needed for taking a restaraunts waste oil (dep or epa regulations on disposal)?

What sort of taxes are involved?

Are there any limits on how much I can make?

I'm sure I'll have a lot more questions that I cant think of right now

I'm in Southern CT so if anybody knows the way things work here I would greatly appreciate it!!




-Kyle

I live in northern Ct., as far as I know as long as you aren't running a business selling Bio and it's for personal use only there isn't a problem with taxes. However, here in Connecticut transporting large quanities of used cooking oil on public roads is a different story. Now you get into DOT, DEP, EPA permits and Hazmat stuff if there is a spillage. Cooking oil is bio degradable and non toxic but cleaning up a 50 gallons or more that is spilled on a roadway if you are in an accident can be costly. Secondly, cooking this stuff requires use of toxic chemicals that are dangerous and potentially explosive. And the storage of the bio diesel. If you burn down your house because the bio processor had a melt down your home owners insurance could refuse to pay. Third, dumping the waste by products down a storm drain or sewer system is a major no-no unless you live in the boonies.

What about the road tax issue, like you have with running heating oil.

I know some states have a limit, like 400 gallons, that you can make for personal use only. Afte that they consider you a manufacturer.

And technically, in most states you are supposed to report that you're making the stuff so they can charge you the state taxes for fuel.

That's why if I do get into this, I'm not telling a soul and certainly not gonna plaster my truck with "I run on biodiesel" stickers.

I know some states have a limit, like 400 gallons, that you can make for personal use only. Afte that they consider you a manufacturer.

And technically, in most states you are supposed to report that you're making the stuff so they can charge you the state taxes for fuel.

That's why if I do get into this, I'm not telling a soul and certainly not gonna plaster my truck with "I run on biodiesel" stickers.

I connecticut it's call "road usage tax". That's why home heating oil is dyed red so it can be detected during a spot check. Only farm equipment is exempt. Commercial bio-diesel isn't available around here so I'm sure the one-off home brewer isn't on the tax department's radar.

I buy commercial Bio-D and keep the latest invoice in the truck, which details the road use taxes paid. So I post my "This truck runs Biodiesel" sticker without fear.