Marine diesel purchased in MD is dyed
Diesel fuel purchased at a marina in Maryland is dyed red and it stains the deck & hull if it is spilled or it overflows from the vent. Diesel fuel purchased at truck stops & local "gas stations" is a bluish green color. This is what the state of Maryland has to say about it: Senate Bill 287 prohibits the use of dyed diesel fuel in vehicles that travel on public highways. This law mirrors federal law that prohibits the use of dyed fuel in highway vehicles. Approximately 34 other states have adopted similar laws, recognizing the dyeing requirement for untaxed fuel and adopting penalties for improper use of dyed fuel. This law will help law enforcement officers identify people who are evading fuel taxes by using the untaxed fuel for on-road use; and it will reduce unfair competition by anyone taking advantage of our current tax structure. Home heating fuel is dyed red to indicate it is not taxed. Generally home heating fuel also contains a higher concentration of sulfur that is not permitted in clear, highway diesel fuel. Therefore, it is a federal violation to use dyed fuel in highway vehicles for environmental as well as tax reasons. Effective October 1, 2002. (Chapter145, Acts of 2002) It appears to be a tax issue more than anything else. Garner
Diesel fuel purchased at a marina in Maryland is dyed red and it stains the deck & hull if it is spilled or it overflows from the vent. Diesel fuel purchased at truck stops & local "gas stations" is a bluish green color. This is what the state of Maryland has to say about it: Senate Bill 287 prohibits the use of dyed diesel fuel in vehicles that travel on public highways. This law mirrors federal law that prohibits the use of dyed fuel in highway vehicles. Approximately 34 other states have adopted similar laws, recognizing the dyeing requirement for untaxed fuel and adopting penalties for improper use of dyed fuel. This law will help law enforcement officers identify people who are evading fuel taxes by using the untaxed fuel for on-road use; and it will reduce unfair competition by anyone taking advantage of our current tax structure. Home heating fuel is dyed red to indicate it is not taxed. Generally home heating fuel also contains a higher concentration of sulfur that is not permitted in clear, highway diesel fuel. Therefore, it is a federal violation to use dyed fuel in highway vehicles for environmental as well as tax reasons. Effective October 1, 2002. (Chapter145, Acts of 2002) It appears to be a tax issue more than anything else. Garner
