EDGEWATER, Md., July 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Calling all students, professionals and amateur videographers interested in competing to win $5,000! Americans have a choice to drive flexible fuel vehicles and fuel with E85 (a mixture of 85% ethanol; 15% unleaded). Now is the time to broadcast this news through video and tell the clean energy story about how driving on higher blends of ethanol (including the recently available E15 – 15% ethanol) allows us to breathe cleaner air, use less oil imports, choose a non-toxic energy source, support US jobs, and increase vehicle horsepower and octane. Check the contest rules for eligibility. The Entry & Release Form and video(s) are due July 25, 2016. Visit www.DriveFlexFuels.org for contest rules, guidelines and suggested themes.
Winning videos will educate and encourage motorists to choose cleaner-burning, homegrown renewable fuels, like E15 and E85. Creativity, attention-grabbing features, and the use of multiple topics or themes are highly encouraged in developing the 30-second video. Videos will be used in public advertising to create awareness of Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) and fuel choices at the pump.
Submissions must be original works and may not contain copyrighted material, or any material that is proprietary to a third party. The first place winner will receive $5,000, second place will win $1,000, and third place will win $500. In addition, the video that receives the most YouTube views by December 15, 2016 will win a 4th cash prize ($500). These prizes can be received as scholarships or cash!
Why ethanol? It's simple. Fueling with cleaner-burning ethanol reduces vehicle air pollution (nitrogen oxides, toxins and particulate matter). Greenhouse gas emissions from E85 are reduced by 34% compared with regular gasoline, and ethanol increases horsepower while reducing fuel injector build-up. Ethanol is American-made. Buying American-made ethanol fuel currently replaces 600,000 barrels of imported oil per day and supports 400,000 American jobs, including Maryland farmers.
What is a flexible fuel vehicle, or FFV? An FFV is a vehicle that offers consumer choice. Vehicles can run on ethanol blends of 85% ethanol/15% regular unleaded fuel, and of course regular unleaded. Many FFVs have yellow gas caps or badges on the cars to show consumers they have a choice and can fuel with E85. There are currently more than 18 million FFVs nationwide and an estimated 700,000 in Maryland. E85 will soon be available at nearly 40 retail stations in Maryland. Half of these stations will also offer E15. E15 can be used in all FFVs and has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for gasoline vehicles 2001 and newer.
If you have questions about the video contest or about ethanol-blended fuels, please email JHamilton@sesi-online.com or call 703-322-4484.
The MGPUB was established in 1991 to support a profitable and viable Maryland grain industry. Using farmer-funded checkoff investments, projects in market development, education and research, address issues specific to Maryland farmers, so they can produce food, fiber, fuel and energy for the consumer in the most economical and environmentally-friendly manner possible. For more information, visit www.marylandgrain.com.
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160707/387197LOGO
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-video-contest-showing-consumers-they-have-a-clean-air-choice-300295843.html
SOURCE Maryland Grain Producers Association
