KEVIN KAMENETZ County Executive -- ciL 

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Honorable Ray LaHood, Secretary Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 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 Baltimore County Executive, I am focused on proactive policies to address these critical issues and grow my county 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 Baltimore County. Jobs in my county 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 2012-2016 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 county.

Historic Courthouse 400 Washington Avenue Towson, Maryland 21204-4665 Phone 410-887-2450 I Fax 410-887-4049 kevinba1timorecountymd.gov www.baltimorecountymd.govSecretary LaHood and Administrator Jackson

July 8, 2011 Page 2
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 rising fuel economy. As County Executive, I think every day about job creation and security for my county. 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.

Kevin Kamenetz County Executive

cc: Honorable Barbara A. Mikulski Honorable Benjamin Cardin Honorable C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger, 2 District Honorable John Sarbanes, 3 District Honorable Elijah E. Cummings, 7th DistrictPRESC)RTED FJRST CLASS 

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