GREENSBORO – While many people are thinking about the holidays and Christmas shopping, the Greensboro City Council has thoughts of soybean oil floating around in their heads.

At Tuesday night’s meeting, the council welcomed a presentation from the vice president of Alabama Biodiesel Corporation, Richard Campo.

“Soybean oil is known as the ‘edible oil’ and it’s a natural reaction between methanol, a catalyst and phosphoric acid,” Campo said. “It only produces glycerin as a byproduct and we use that in soaps.”

Campo said the biodiesel fuel does not change when burned and will not release sulfur or carbon residues.

“It also reduces the amount of wear and tear on the machines, and makes vehicles run better,” he said.

The fuel is safe to use in anything that runs on diesel fuel and it will increase mileage, Campo added.

If Greensboro decides to do business with the Moundville-based company, Campo said, it would be beneficial to the company, the state and the economy.

“Right now we are shipping about 98 percent of our product out of state,” he said. “But this will only cost you about $1.94 a gallon based on the prices in Tuscaloosa right now.”

Mayor Johnnie Washington said he is open to the idea and will look into it if the biodiesel will save the city money.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the council was informed that Auburn students will be in town Dec. 6 at 10 a.m. to discuss the dog pound.

There will be a FEMA town meeting at the Rising Star Baptist Church on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.

According to a letter read by city clerk Lorrie Cook, the meeting is to discuss accommodations for evacuees in the community.

Before closing, council member Valada Paige-Banks reminded everyone to be safe and thoughtful.

“As the holidays approach, I just ask that everyone be blessed and remember somebody in need in their prayers,” she said.

The next council meeting will be Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m.