NOTE: This Message was originally addressed to *all*
      from Florida Today and was forwarded to you by Tom Mckeever
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Thought y'all might find this interesting
Tom
Change sought for diesel fuel dilemma
By Bill Sargent
Florida Today
     Imagine being a recreational boater making a long trip along the
Florida coast. You're running low on diesel fuel. There are marinas nearby,
with good supplies of diesel, but by law they cannot sell you the fuel in
their tanks.
    It's a dilemma that happens. Only because of a special federal tax on
certain diesel fuel.
    Last year, the Internal Revenue Service issued regulations mandating
that marine diesel fuel be dyed red for non-taxed commercial use and clear
for taxed recreational use. Under the law, the non-taxed red diesel cannot
be sold to recreational vessels and there's a stiff penalty for anyone
caught.
    The regulation grew out of a 24.4-cent a gallon tax on diesel fuel
levied by Congress. Money from the tax is earmarked for a fund to offset
the repeal of the 10 percent luxury tax on boats, furs and jewelry.
     The Boat Owners Association of the United States (BOAT-U.S.), an
organization of 500,000, is spearheading an appeal to key members of the
U.S. Senate to change the regulation to allow recreational boaters to
purchase any color fuel as long as they pay the necessary tax.
    Michael Sciulla, a spokesman for BOAT-U.S., said distribution problems
in many parts of the country, including Florida, resulted from the rule.
    "Marine fuel retailers, who often have only one diesel tank and pump,
were forced to make a choice between selling to either commercial or
recreational customers.
    "Now, along major stretches of the coast, owners of recreational
diesel-powered boats have to travel for hours, if not days, to obtain clear
diesel fuel," Sciulla said.
    One of the areas affected is the Gulf Coast from Tampa to Galveston,
Texas, Sciulla said.
    Recreational boaters in east Central Florida, including the Port
Canaveral area, have not reported any difficulties in finding the taxed fuel.
    Legislation recently introduced by Sens. John Breaux, D-La., and John
Chafee, R-R.I., would allow recreational boaters to purchase any color fuel.
    BOAT-U.S. is urging diesel boat owners to contact Senate Finance
Committee Chairman Bob Packwood, R-Ore., and House Ways and Means Committee
Chairman Bill Archer, R-Texas, to approve the legislation this year.
 * WCE 2.01á4/2037 * Have a nice day--Unless you have other plans!
--- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.11 
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