ROBIN SCHIMMINGER


1 40 District

DATLYREAD 

THE ASSEMBLY

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) 455-4767
Robin 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
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