DAILY REA: FILE 

1455 SALT SPRINGS ROAD, SW.


LORDSTOWN, OHIO 44481-9658


(330) 824-2507 • FAX (330) 824-3703

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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 LaHood and Administrator Jackson: 

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

every American. As the Mayor of Lordstown, Home of the Chevy 

Cruze, I am focused on proactive policies to address these critical 

issues and grow my city toward a more secure future. Transportation 

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

agencies are now developing national fuel economy standards for 

2017-2025, I wanted to share my views. 

Safe, efficient and reliable transportation impacts each individual, 

family and business in my city. Jobs in Lordstown 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. 

Office of the Mayor 

Village Council 

Office of the Clerk 

Office of the Treasurer 

Board of Public Affairs 

Water Department 

Zoning Department 

Zoning Board of Appeals 

Street Department 

Income Tax Department 

Parks Department 

Recreation Department 

Planning Commission 

Buildings & Grounds 

Department 

Transportation Department
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 201 2-2016 

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 recognize that overreaching regulations can place a significant cost 

burden on individuals, families and businesses in my city. 

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 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. 

My residents 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 consumers can 

be expected to hold on to their older vehicles longer and defer buying 

a new car, which could put auto 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 a mayor, I think every day about job creation and security for my 

city. As a policymaker, I know that good regulations and laws are 

often a balancing act of competing demands. 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 have been very proud of the work that the Federal government has 

done with fuel efficiency over the past few years. I am also proud of 

the partnership that Lordstown, the Federal Government, and General
Motors has forged over the past few years to save and create jobs in 

my town and the entire Mahoning Valley and all of Ohio. I look 

forward to working together with your agencies to proudly and 

responsibly move forward with fuel efficiency in a safe and productive 

way. 

Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any further assistance. 

Lordstown Pride! 

Michael A. Chaffee 

Mayor, Village of Lordstown 

330-727-2198 

chafvb@hotmail.com
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