ROBIN SCHIMMINGER

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CHAI AMAN Committee on Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry

COMM IUEES Codes Health Ways & Means

The Honorable Ray LaHood Secretary Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590

Administrator Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20004

Dear Secretary LaHood and Administrator Jackson:

Today jobs, the economy and energy security are on the minds of every American. As Chairman of the N.Y.S. Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and industry,! have long beenfocused on proactive policies to address these critical issues and grow New York State - and, in paiticular, the district I represent in Western'New York - toward a more secure future. Transportation is a ethical component of our economic vitality and given that

,your agencies are now de'eloing national fuel economy standards for 2017-2025,! wanted tO share my i'ies.

Safe, efficient and reliable transportation impacts each individual, family and buiness in our community. Jobs in Western New York are all tied to cost-effective transportation. With the recent inërease in gas prices and turmoil in the Middle East, reducing fuel use and dependence on foreign oil are on all our minds. I certainly 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 respectfully 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 äñd 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 realistic' increases in fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards. However, I recognize that overreaching regulations can place a significant cost burden on individuals, families and businesses.

3514 Delaware Avenue, Kenmore, NewYork 14217-1298, (716) 873-2540 Room 847, Legislative Office Building, Albany, New York 12248-0001, (518) 455-4767Robin Schimminger

It is important that standards for 2017-2025 support a broad range of consumer needs in terms of utility and function. Americans need a range of vehicles to meet their family and business needs. Large families require automobiles and crossovers 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 trucks, as do the construction industry and local trades. Manufacturing is an important source of revenue and jobs for Western New York, and it, along with its varied supplier network, depends on a variety of vehicles to carry out day-to-day business needs.

Our region's families and 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 quickly, 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 and our region - which is home to a significant auto industry sector - at risk and delay compliance with federal air quality standards. Affordability, customer choice and job preservation is as much a priority as raising fuel economy standards.

As chairman of the Assembly Economic Development Committee, a state legislator representing a district near Buffalo in Western New York, and the Assembly representative for GM Powertrain's Tonawanda Engine Plant, I think every day about ways to promote job creation and security for my district, region and 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.

cc: Hon. Charles E. Schumer Hon. Kirsten Gillibrand Hon. Louise M. Slaughter Hon. Brian M. Higgins Hon. Kathy Hochul>- (- '-' >- I

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