Suckin’ Gas?

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Almyra Farmers' Association, Ann Hines, Arkansas, Arkansas Farm Bureau, Arkansas Oil Marketer's Association, Arkansas River Regional Intermodal Authority, Arkansas SoyEnergy Group, Barry Beaver, biofuels, Buddy Rawls, Cal McCastlain, Carter Malloy, Central Arkansas Transit, FutureFuels, GoGreen Biofuels, Grady Ford, John Hoffpauer, Kevin Jacobs, Little Rock Free Press, Matt Pelkki, National Biodiesel Board, Pinnacle Biofuels, Steve Bolin, Steve Danforth, Todd Kelley, United Soybean Board

Cover Story
Biofuels Industry Plans to Alter Consumption Patterns

   While gas prices climb as spring arrives, green energy enthusiasts wonder about the possible effects on the budding biofuels industry.

   In Little Rock, Go Green Biofuels sits just off Interstate 630 at 8th and Chester. Customers must plan if they want to stop since 8th Street operates as a one-way; it requires some drivers to make a loop around the block.

   Yet more people consciously make the effort each month since the store opened last fall, according to owner and manager C.E. “Buddy” Rawls. Each time a new customer pulls in, Rawls comes out to greet them and answer questions about biofuels. He uses a pamphlet to convince people that it’s OK to use ethanol in their automobiles.

   Go Green Biofuels provides two kinds of fuels: B-20, which includes 20 percent biodiesel, and E-10, a blend of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent unleaded gasoline. For individuals wishing to completely get off the petroleum, Rawls plans to add B-99 and diesel conversion kits.

   Carter Malloy, a Green Circle Biofuels consultant who works with Rawls on expanding his environment-friendly business concept, claims the major problem with biofuels lies with consumer education. He notes most people do not remember the last place they filled up with fuel because of the convenience of fueling stations.

   “People have never even had to think about what goes in their gas tank,” he says. “They don’t want to think about it, and they don’t want to think about where they’re getting it. All they want to think about is if it’s 2 cents cheaper or not. That has been the mentality for so long that it is probably for us, on a retail level, that is our most formidable opponent is consumer education.”

Addicted to Oil

   But as more people pay attention, a growing number of Americans say the United States needs oil rehab.