Shown in photo are John McDermott Sr. and owner John McDermott Jr. of the Sunoco station. Cheap and environmentally friendly gasoline has come to the area thanks to the owners of a local Sunoco station who have brought the corn-based fuel, ethanol, to our area. Ethanol, which has been sold for years in the midwest and Europe, is friendly to the environment and your wallet. It costs about a dollar less than oil-based gasoline and helps reduce the use of fossil fuels.

"We decided to get this gasoline because we wanted to help save people money and be eco-friendly," said John McDermott Jr., co-owner of the Sunoco station at 720 North Broadway.

Dubbed Flex Fuel, the ethanol, or alcohol-based fuel has been selling fast from the Massapequa station, said the owners.

"We began selling it July 22, pumping about 600 gallons a day, and yesterday we sold 1,500 gallons," said McDermott who added that he is thinking of having another pump installed to help meet the demand. People have called him from all over to get the fuel, he said.

Since the new fuel is corrosive, it must be placed in fiberglass tanks and the pumps must be made of stainless steel. All of that makes for quite an investment on the part of the station owners—to the tune of $50,000. Although McDermott says he and his partner don't expect to recoup the investment for several years, he says it's worth every cent.

"This product is made in America and the money will stay in America and we can reduce our dependence on oil from the Middle East," said the owner. "The fact that it's cheaper than regular gasoline and also burns cleaner, makes it even better."

Their first customer can attest to that.

"Since I have been using it, my car definitely has more pep and it feels like it's running smoother," said Al Rothig of Massapequa who has a 2007 Impala. "Plus I'm saving money."

Not every car accepts the fuel, however, although installation kits are expected to be available sometime next year for most vehicles. Some cars have a flex fuel sticker on their gasoline cap, which indicates that they have a special tank installed or the E85 fuel. During our visit, first time customer Joe Breveti of Franklin Square was trying the fuel in his mini van.

"I just saved 15 bucks on 15 gallons and it's all staying in our country," he said after filling his tank. "I'll definitely use it again." Breveti said he didn't know his car took the fuel and only realized it when he had it serviced.

According to McDermott, since there isn't Flex Fuel at many stations, customers are free to use regular gasoline whenever they need to and can switch back and forth with no problems. The ethanol is also less flammable than petroleum-based gasoline, so it's much safer.

Consumers can find out if their cars accept the fuel, or find the location of a station that sells it, by looking up the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition's website at www.E85Fuel.com.

"We've had alot more customers because of the gasoline, and so far have not even advertised," said McDermott. "It's just been spreading by word of mouth."