Red Roberts, of United Energy Distributors Inc., owns a gas station in Aiken. United Energy became the country's first public alternative fuel station in October, offering E-85, a blend of 15 percent unleaded gasoline and 85 percent ethanol. ANNETTE M. DROWLETTE/STAFF

In addition to diesel, unleaded and propane, customers at Mr. Roberts' station can fill up on biodiesel, a 20 percent soybean oil-80 percent diesel fuel blend; and E85, a blend of 15 percent unleaded gasoline and 85 percent ethanol.

His United Energy Distributors Inc. became the country's first public alternative fuel station when it opened in October.

Although Midwestern gas stations have used ethanol as an emissions-reducing additive for years, individual motorists have never had retail access to so-called "biofuels," such as E-85, on a retail basis.

"Probably not in my lifetime or my children's lifetime, but in someone's lifetime, we're going to pump the last gallon of crude oil out of the ground," Mr. Roberts said. "We can prolong that by blending soybean oil with diesel fuel. Or using ethanol ... You can grow corn anywhere."

The prices of biofuels at United Energy are comparable to those of traditional fuels. Mr. Roberts sells regular unleaded gasoline for 95.9 cents a gallon and E85 for 99.9 cents a gallon. E85's 110 octane rating is higher than unleaded gasoline's 89, according to the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition.

A gallon of diesel is $1.05.9 a gallon; biodiesel is $109.9 a gallon.

Mr. Robert's main clients are federal government agencies, including Savannah River Site, which has used alternative fuels since October 1999.

The Department of Energy-owned installation purchases United Energy's biodiesel for its diesel vehicle fleet and for its generators and air compressors. SRS also has a fleet of 400 flexible fuel vehicles that can burn E85 in addition to traditional gasoline.

As Mr. Roberts sees it, biofuels help reduce the United States' dependency on foreign oil.

SRS Fleet Manager Chris Goodman agreed, adding that use of biofuels will strengthen the country's agriculture industry.

"It provides a greater market for American farmers and, with cleaner emissions, it's better for the environment," Mr. Goodman said.

Mr. Roberts spent $300,000 last year converting his conventional fleet fueling station into one that blends alternative fuels. His soybean oil comes from Kentucky and his ethanol comes from Tennessee-grown corn. He said he'd one day like to use South Carolina-grown soybeans and corn.

The state is starting to catch on, too. Governor Jim Hodges has signed an executive order making it mandatory for state fleets to use alternate fuels when it's "economically feasible."

Department of Transportation worker Garrett McGee fuels up a South Carolina gas truck at United Energy. It is mandatory for state fleets to use alternate fuels whenever possible. ANNETTE M. DROWLETTE/STAFF

American carmakers such as General Motors, Ford and Chrysler produce several models as flexible fuel vehicles, and Mr. Roberts expects biofuel consumption to grow as the number of makes and models proliferate.

He also expects future consumers to be more environmentally conscious and more interested in reducing the nation's thirst for foreign oil, which helps support Middle Eastern countries that are politically unfriendly to the United States.

"For every gallon of crude we bring in from Iraq, Iran, Syria - all we're doing is supporting terrorism," he said.

Flexible Fuel Vehicles:

These vehicles are designed to run on any ethanol fuel blend up to 85 percent ethanol. The special engines are standard equipment and come at no additional cost.

CHRYSLER:

1998-2001 3.3L Chrysler minivans

1998-2001 3.3L Dodge minivans

1998-2001 3.3L Plymouth minivans

FORD:

2001 4.0L Explorer

2001 4.0L Sport Track

2001 3.0L Ranger pickup 2WD

2001 3.0L Taurus LX, SE and SES sedans

2000 3.0L Ranger pickup 4WD and 2WD

2000 3.0L Taurus LX, SE and SES sedans

1999 3.0L Ranger pickup 4WD and 2WD

1999 3.0L Taurus LX, SE and SES sedans

GENERAL MOTORS

2001 2.2L S-10 Chevrolet pickup

2001 2.2L Sonoma GMC pickup

2000 2.2L S-10 Chevrolet pickup

2000 2.2L Sonoma GMC pickup

Sunday: With stricter environmental laws and ongoing political unrest in the Middle East, many in rural America say the answer to the country's energy woes is ethanol, a fuel additive made from corn.

Tuesday: United Energy Distributors in Aiken is the nation's first "biofuel retailer," according to the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition.

Wednesday: The United States depends on foreign oil while many other countries, including Brazil, have vehicles burning 100 percent ethanol.

Thursday: Energy company Diamond Shamrock was talking about building an ethanol plant in rural Dumas, Texas, but things got quiet after the company was acquired by a major oil producer.

Friday: Researchers say they are improving ethanol to the point where the natural fuel performs as well as gasoline.

Saturday: An expected increase in ethanol demand has Midwestern states vying to be the market leader.

Reach John Bankston at (706) 823-3352 or john.banks@augustachronicle.com