News-Record.com

Wednesday's No. 2 editorial.

In the battle against foreign oil dependency, converting one tank at the Greensboro tank farm to biodiesel storage hardly creates a ripple, but it's still a move in the right direction.

Biodiesel, so far, has faced an uphill battle. For starters, not many people drive diesel-powered vehicles. Those who do say finding a station that sells biodiesel fuel can be tough.
In North Carolina, they're few and far between.

That could, however, change as a result of an arrangement between Boston-based biodiesel supplier World Energy Alternatives and the local terminal company. Helping solidify the deal is a $150,000 grant from the N.C. Solar Center, which promotes alternative fuel use.

A dependable supply source nearby should boost availability throughout the Piedmont. Vendors now will be able to rely on timely deliveries rather than investing in on-site storage.

And, should biodiesel eventually catch on, Greensboro will have a leg up on potential competitors as an already up-and-running distribution center.

For more than a decade, state and municipal diesel vehicle fleets have run efficiently and cleanly on biodiesel. With a better distribution network, that notable success could spill into the private sector.

As gasoline prices soar into uncharted territory, alternative fuels finally are looking better to more motorists. The focus on biodiesel coincides with the state's plan to be a national alternative energy source leader. An example is research at N.C. State University on lightweight, plug-in auto hybrid batteries, which holds great potential.

While biodiesel may never attract as large a following as more popular ethanol-based fuels, making it a more viable, convenient option is worthwhile. The planned Greensboro tank conversion should help accomplish that goal.