KEVIN KAMENETZ 

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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.gov
Secretary 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 District
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