DAILY READING FILE 

THE SENATE

STATE OF NEW YORK 

cO


GEORGE D. MAZIARZ 

Senator, 62nd District

VICE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE 

CHAIRMAN


ENERGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS 

COMMITTEE MEMBER


CRIME VICTIMS, CRIME & CORRECTION 

EDUCATION


ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION


HIGHER EDUCATION


RULES


TRANSPORTATION

DISTRICT OFFICE:


175 WALNUTSIREET


SUITE 6


LOCPORT, NY 14094


1716) 434-0680


FAX: (7161 434-3297 

E-MAIL ADDRESS:


rnaziarz@nysenate.gov

ALBANY OFFICE: 

ROOM 708


LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING 

ALBANY, NY 12247 

)j (518) 455-2024 

FAX 1518(426-6987 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary, Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue. SE 

Washington. DC 20590 

The Honorable Lisa Jackson 

Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency 

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW 

Washington. DC 20004 

Dear Secretary Lal-lood and Administrator Jackson: 

Today jobs, the economy and energy security are on the minds of every American. 

Transportation is a critical component of our economic vitality and given that your agencies are 

now developing national fuel economy standards for 201 7-2025, I waiited to share my views. 

- Safe, efficient and reliable transportation impacts each individual, family and business in 

New York State. Jobs in New York State are all tied to cost effective transportation. With the 

recent increase in gas prices and turmoil in the Middle East, reducing fuel use and dependence 

on foreign oil are on all our minds. I support your efforts to improve fuel economy by laying out 

a long-term program, but encourage you to carefully consider a balanced and thoughtful 

approach. 

I encourage NHTSA and EPA to adopt a single, national fuel economy standard that 

considers America's needs for increased fuel economy while preserving the choices for families 

and businesses to meet their transportation needs without sacrificing affordability, safety, or jobs. 

NHTSA and EPA have already set strong standards for 2012-20 16 that raise the fleet average by 

40% to 35 miles per gallon. Looking forward, technology improvements should continue to 

support increases in fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards. However, I also recognize that
George D. Ma'iarz 

Senator, 62fu1 District

Page 2 (letter to Secretary LaHood and Administrator Jackson) 

overreaching regulations can place a significant cost burden on individuals, families and 

businesses in New York State. 

It is important that standards for 20 17-2025 support a broad range of consumer needs iii 

terms of utility and function. Americans need a range of vehicles to meet their thmily and 

business needs. Large families require automobiles with sufficient passenger space, including 

room for multiple child-safety seats in the back. Small businesses need vans and utility vehicles 

to conduct commerce. Agriculture depends on pickup, as do the construction industry and local 

trades.

Our state's businesses all share the need for affordable transportation. The next phase of 

fuel economy standards should not pick winners and losers, but should support a variety of 

technologies and fuel diversity to preserve affordability. If fuel economy standards increase too 

cLtickIy, resulting in more expensive vehicles, many of our region's consumers can be expected 

to hold on to their older vehicles longer and defer buying a new car, which could put jobs across 

the country at risk and delay compliance with federal air quality standards. Affordability, 

customer choice and job preservation is as much as priority as raising fuel economy. 

As Chair of the New York State Senate Energy Committee I think every day about ways 

to promote job creation and security for our State. I encourage you to carefully balance the 

factors that impact sensible fuel economy standards, including consumer choice, affordability 

and the economic concerns that weigh on our nation's fragile recovery. 
(I) 

>Om Zfl 

—rnZ 

H 

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