What is up with diesel fuel prices in California?

As many diesel owners know you generally get 30% better economy with a diesel vehicle over its' gas vehicle counterpart. We are even doing better than that because our diesel BJ70 (4 cylinder) replaced our gas FJ60 (6 cylinder). The FJ60 on it's best day would get 15-16 mpg. The BJ70 is returning a consistent 24 mpg and that is with 33" tires. I think I have even gotten close to 26 mpg on a trip out and back to Anza Borrego.

Unfortunately with the cost of diesel skyrocketing the price advantage is slowly being whittled away. Sure I can run Bio-Diesel but unless I am willing to make it myself the cost is very close if not more than ULSD diesel. I am starting to weigh the option of running some sort of waste vegetable oil system in the old girl.

Coincidentally with it being Earth Day and all, I was walking back from my lunch time swim when I met Allen from Physical Plant services who had his diesel Mercedes on display. He has been running WVO (waste vegetable oil) in his older Mercedes for 2 years w/o a hiccup. He was very knowledgeable about the process so i basically talked his ear off for 15 minutes or so.....