# 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 10