By JAKE POTTER

This summer’s gas prices might seem fearsome, but according to Rachel Burton, it’s nothing a little canola oil can’t solve.

Well, sort of. Burton, co-founder of Pittsboro-based Piedmont Biofuels, gave a seminar Thursday at Southeastern Community College detailing the impact of a little-used fuel alternative—biodiesel.

“It’s not a silver bullet, but it is possibly an answer to part of the problem,” she said.

Biodiesel works just like it sounds—it’s a diesel replacement fuel derived from vegetable fats or animal oils. Engines can run on a pure form of biodiesel or a blend between standard petroleum diesel and biodiesel. A blend’s mixture is identified by the amount of biodiesel it utilizes. Many new vehicle models support a B20 blend, about one-fifth biodiesel.

Burton explained to an audience of about 40—many of whom are biology students at the college—how biodiesel is processed, then turned the seminar over to Piedmont’s David Thornton, who gave a small-scale production demonstration.

College administrators were impressed with the presentation. Becky Westbrooks, a biology and environmental science instructor, said a cooperative between her department and the chemistry department likely will apply for a $10,000 grant to set up biodiesel production on campus.

“It just makes sense to have around,” she said. “We’re such an agrarian county, too. We can really get this going. It has a lot of potential.”

Alvin Phillips, dean of business and technology, was also enthusiastic about the prospect of bringing the alternative fuel to a campus known for its unique agriculture biotechnology program.

“I think one cool thing that could come out of this is that the college’s vehicles could potentially switch to biodiesel,” he said. “We’re recognizing that we need to do something with our fuels.”

Biodiesel boasts a strong track record. It’s non-toxic, energy-efficient and creates fewer emissions than its big sibling. In its pure form, B100, carbon monoxide emissions are 50 percent lower than those of petroleum diesel. Additionally, sulfur dioxide emissions drop with stronger blends, cutting back on contribution to acid rain.

As a “carbon neutral” type of fuel, biodiesel also yields a 78 percent carbon dioxide reduction, compared to standard diesel.

Burton said four or five county school systems around North Carolina had already implemented biodiesel into their buses. Additionally, UNC, N.C. State and Duke all have contracts with Piedmont.

“That may be something that the school systems here would want to look into,” Westbrooks said.

“I don’t know if they’re even aware of it yet,” Phillips added. “This technology isn’t new by any means, but now with gas prices going up, people are starting to see the real benefit in it.”

Burton said one school system had reported saving a large chunk of change already.

“I believe the Gaston County school systems have already saved about $30,000 thus far,” she said. “It wouldn’t be a bad thing to consider around here.”

The financial implications don’t end there.

“Here in North Carolina, we import every single drop of oil,” Burton told the crowd. “We have no refineries here. This state spends $6 billion on energy a year. The reality is that gas prices are going up, but we can produce this biodiesel and make fuel at a good price. We could use two or three plants in this county alone.”

And biodiesel production is exploding. Burton estimates that during the course of this year, 150 million gallons might be produced.

“In Pittsboro, we’re just trying to make a million gallons,” she said. “There’s a 30-million-gallon plant in Rocky Mount opening soon.”The nearest biodiesel distributor is Wilmington-based Potter Oil and Tire Company.

Burton noted that biodiesel’s cost of production currently sits at about $1 per gallon. “You’re going to need to have about $1 million to set a big distribution up,” she said.

Local farmers still can set up a small-scale biodiesel production for about $500. In fact, Piedmont sells copies of Colorado author Maria Alovert’s “The Biodiesel Homebrew Guide.” The 107-page guide is available for $18 at www.localb100.com/book.html