## DATLY READING FTL



# Indiana Manufacturers Association, Inc.

One American Square, Suite 2400, Box 82012 • Indianapolis, IN 46282-0013 317-632-2474 • 800-462-7762 • Fax: 317-231-2320 • www.imaweb.com

The Honorable Ray LaHood Secretary Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, D.C. 20590 ' The Honorable Lisa Jackson Administrator Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20004 Dear Secretary LaHood and Administrator Jackson: I am writing you as President of the Indiana Manufacturers Association, a trade association that represents more than 1,500 small, medium and large manufacturers, who employ more than 500,000 people in Indiana. Our mission is to advocate for policies to improve the business climate and protect jobs and investment in the State of Indiana. Sound transportation policies are fundamental to our ability to successfully move workers, goods and services throughout the region. Indiana's exposure to the transportation sector is second only to Michigan; and like Michigan and other states, we have lost thousands of middle-class jobs during the recent economic collapse. Your agencies are now developing national fuel economy standards for 2017-2025, and we want to share our views. Our national goals to reduce dependence on foreign oil production and improve the environment are consistent with policies that protect efficient, clean and high-wage manufacturing in the United States. As we are trying to dig our way out of the economic calamity, unnecessary cost increases that encourage manufacturers to expand or relocate to regions with lower environmental standards will hurt both the economic environment and American jobs. Therefore, we support your efforts to improve fuel economy by laying out a long-term program, but encourage you to carefully consider the economic impact of your program on manufacturing, manufacturing workers and consumers. We have lost nearly 250,000 Indiana manufacturing jobs over the last decade--many to overseas competitors.

Indiana's Leading Advocate for IndustryHonorable Ray LaHood, Department of Transportation

Honorable Lisa Jackson, Environmental Protection Agency Page 2 July11, 2011

Future investments and employment growth in manufacturing will depend on policies that are rational and contain the costs of doing business. NHTSA and EPA set strong standards for 2012-2016 that raise the fleet average by 40 percent to 35 miles per gallon. Technology improvements should continue to support increases in fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards. To keep costs under control, the next phase of fuel economy standards should not pick winners and losers, but should support a variety of technologies and fuel diversity. I urge you to avoid aggressive technology-forcing regulations that will raise costs, increase consumer prices, and put the economy and jobs at risk. The job reports of recent months point out the current vulnerability of the economic climate. I encourage NHTSA and EPA to adopt a single, national fuel economy standard that will preserve and enhance Indiana and other states as an attractive location for manufacturers. Thank you for considering my views.

trick J. Kiely PresidentS S

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