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engineering students from across the country worked to re-engineer a 1997
Chevrolet Malibu to operate on E85 with improved fuel economy, low exhaust
emissions, excellent cold start performance, without sacrificing driveability
and performance. Sponsors of the event include the U.S. Department of Energy,
General Motors, Natural Resources Canada, Illinois Department of Commerce
and Community Affairs, Renewable Fuels Association, Council of Great Lakes
Governors, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Canadian Renewable Fuels Association,
National Corn Growers Association and Williams Energy Group. The Coalition
sponsored the oral presentation award. Following a week of testing in Michigan, the vehicles embarked on a 600 mile over-the-road endurance drive to Washington, D.C., where they were met by a finish line ceremony at U.S. Department of Energy headquarters and participated in the National Clean Cities Conference Alternative Fuel Vehicle Parade. The vehicles were displayed on Capitol Hill for members of Congress to view and visit with the student teams.
At the Awards Presentation in the Cannon House Office Building, student teams heard from Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) and Rep. Kenny Hulshof (R-MO), who welcomed the students to Washington and praised them for their ingenuity and hard work. Nebraska Gov. Ben Nelson spoke on behalf of the Coalition. "Those of us who hail from ethanol-producing states can testify to the significance of the nation's only renewable transportation fuel," said Nelson. "It creates jobs in rural America, adds value to agricultural and waste products, and reduces the nation's growing dependence on others for oil and reduces the every-growing trade deficit."
