The story goes that when Rudolf Diesel invented his engine back in 1897, he intended it to run on peanut oil.
A century later, some people are again looking to vegetable-based fuels to run their diesel engines.
They've turned to a product called bio-diesel.
They see it as a way to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and reduce dependence on foreign oil.
A caravan of bio-diesel devotees gathered Wednesday morning to celebrate a small victory...the opening of the areas first bio-diesel fuel station.
Vermont Public Radio's Susan Keese has more.
42.50 (truck sound?.)(fade and hold Continuing under my voice)
(Keese) The line at Fleming?s filling station on this chilly morning is reminiscent of the oil shortages of the seventies.
But these drivers lined up to celebrate what may be a partial cure for the headaches associated with fossil fuels.
43.35 (gas pump sound?.) Continue and fade before Fleming act starts in the black)
(Keese)They?re waiting to fill their tanks at the region?s first biodeisel gas pump.
It?s in West Chesterfield, about a mile from Brattleboro, VT.
There are Volkswagons and pickup trucks and even a diesel-powered Toyota.
Until this week, many of these drivers have been lugging tanks and pumping their fuel by hand.
9.Fleming).8.43. There?s not a lot of retail sites right now where you can buy it. There?s I guess one down in Holyoke and one over in Rhode Island?and I think you?re going to see more and more petroleum retailers like myself putting this product out for the consumer.
(Keese) Rick Fleming is president of Fleming Oil. The Brattleboro-based company operates several gas stations and delivers home heating fuel.
Fleming says he?s been thinking about biodiesel for a few years. But reliable supplies only recently became available.
The product is made in the Midwest from soybeans, and other crops. A Vermont Company called Global E has recently begun distributing it locally.
Biodiesel can be used in any vehicle that runs on conventional diesel fuel.
The New Hampshire station offers a twenty percent mix of biodeisel and regular diesel.
Fleming says that?s a good winter ratio for New England, because biodeisel tends to gel in very cold weather.
It also helps cut down on costs.
At a dollar ninety eight a gallon, biodiesel costs a bit more. But Fleming believes many people are willing to pay for a more environmentally friendly fuel.
9.20(Fleming) Our industry for a number of years has sometimes had a black eye in the environmental area, and I think this is an important first step to bring a more environmentally responsible product to market.
(Bring up gas filling sound again.)
(Keese) Back at the gas pump, carpenter Brian Shaw is filling up his brand new Dodge pickup. He says his engine actually runs cleaner on biodiesel.
Shaw says his reasons for making the switch are political as well as environmental.
44.42 Shaw We?re doing a lot to subsidize imported oil right now. I think militarily and otherwise? so?. It?s worth the extra money, cause we?re paying for it one way or the other.
45.32 (hang up pump)
Station owner Rick Fleming says he?s working on making biodiesel heating oil available next winter.
For NHPR News, I?m Susan Keese in West Chesterfield.
