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GREENSBORO - A project that could make biodiesel fuel more available to Triad motorists should be open for business in a matter of weeks.

The project involves retrofitting a storage tank to dispense biodiesel to fuel distributors at Petroleum Fuel Terminal, 6900 W. Market St., in the airport area's tank farm.

"We would expect to have product available sometime within the last two months of the year," said Bob Gray of World Energy Alternatives, a project partner based in Boston.

The retrofit was unveiled in March, when the N.C. Solar Center announced a $150,000 grant to the partnership between World Energy and the fuel terminal.

Biodiesel is not readily available to motorists in the Triad, although many government vehicles run successfully on a blend of the alternative fuel. Advocates say it is easy to combine with traditional, petroleum-based diesel in blends of 5 to 20 percent biodiesel.

Biodiesel is made from such agricultural products as corn, soybeans, canola and animal fats.

It burns more cleanly than regular diesel, but does not necessarily offer enhanced performance.

Triad fuel retailers have been slow to embrace alternative fuels, and the Solar Center awarded money to the project partly in hopes of changing that, officials said at the time.

Biodiesel costs more per gallon at the pump than regular diesel, which sold Friday in Greensboro at rates ranging from $3.61 per gallon to more than $4.

A survey of retailers selling biodiesel in different parts of the state Friday found prices from $3.99 to $4.70 per gallon for a variety of blends.

Gray said a loyal base of motorists is willing to pay extra because biofuels are less harmful to the environment and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil.

High Point home builder Steve Duke is among those anxious to switch to biodiesel. He was happy to learn about the tank-farm project when it was announced last spring and has wondered why it hasn't come online yet, Duke said.

"I'm definitely a customer if I can get to it," he said. "We might pay a little more, but it's worth it because it's made here in our country."

Local retailers have been slow to offer pure biodiesel because they don't want to spend money modifying their pumps to accommodate it, said Steve Gladson, owner of Battleground Automotive & BP Amoco.

"It could take years to make back that investment, said Gladson, who does not sell biodiesel.

Some retailers are having success with the lower-percentage blends that can be used in any diesel vehicle and don't require changes to the pumps, said Tim Laughlin of the N.C. Petroleum and Convenience Marketers Association in Raleigh.

Gray said in a matter of weeks the partnership on West Market Street should have biodiesel on hand for fuel marketers to blend in any percentage.

"Any of them who need biodiesel will be able to come and buy it," he said.

Contact Taft Wireback at 373-7100 or taft.wireback@news-record.com