"It's expensive, but it's worth it," he said. "I believe in supporting the people who have the courage and the foresight to do this."
To get the word out about its offerings, the station is hosting a special sale today, when drivers can get a bargain on E85. From noon to 2 p.m., the station will sell it for 85.9 cents a gallon. The price difference is being paid by General Motors Corp., which has sold the largest share of the 6 million cars and trucks now on the road that can run on E85 -- and GM gets special credits toward meeting government fuel-efficiency standards by producing the cars.
Moller and others say state agencies, fire officials and others have been slow to adapt their rules to accommodate biofuels. Confusion and extra red tape involving equipment standards and permitting have been major hurdles, especially for E85.
The Brentwood station and the two others like it, for example, had to be designated as research sites to get all the approvals for the E85 pumps because the state hasn't finalized emissions and equipment guidelines, Moller said.
To sell the highest blend of biodiesel, stations like Conserv Fuel must secure a variance from the state Division of Measurement Standards, which regulates biodiesel as an additive and not a fuel. In addition, anyone selling biodiesel blends higher than B20 must limit sales to customers who become members of a free, loosely defined "users group," and to submit monthly reports to the measurement division -- a requirement not present in any other state, Moller said.
The market is another uncertainty. Many drivers are unaware that their vehicle can run on E85, and it's unclear how many will make the switch, given the fuel's higher per-mile cost.
Despite the obstacles, groups backing E85 are planning new sites in Los Angeles, Ventura and other areas. Even the elder Moller is warming up to the trend. He plans to add biodiesel to stations he owns in Santa Barbara and in San Luis Obispo, and he's backing the construction of an ethanol plant in Pixley, Calif.
"It's hard for me, but I'm realizing more and more that it's the way of the future, and we have to get into it," John Moller said. "It's just like it's hard for an old man to start using a BlackBerry."
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elizabeth.douglass@latimes.com
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Alternative fuels
Biodiesel [B99 or B100]
Made from: Vegetable oils or animal fat. Most common sources are soy or canola oils as well as used restaurant grease.
