The Honorable Lisa Jackson Ad m n istrato r Environmental Protection 

# DAILY REAE1N FILE 

# Associated Industries of Missouri

The Voice of Missouri Business.

The Honorable Ray La Hood Secretary Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 Associated Industries of Missouri 3234 W. Truman Blvd. Jefferson City, MO 65109 573-634-2246 (p) 573-634-4406 (f) www.aimo.com

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington. DC 20004 Dear Secretary LaHood and Administrator Jackson: As you are aware, jobs, the economy and energy security are on the minds of every American. Associated Industries of Missouri is focused on proactive policies to address these critical issues and grow Missouri's economy in a way that provides a more secure future. Transportation is a critical component of our economic vitality and because your agencies are now developing national fuel economy standards for 2017-2025, we wanted to share our views. Safe, efficient and reliable transportation impacts each individual, family and business in Missouri, and in America Jobs in Missouri are all tied to cost-effective transportation With the recent increase in fuel prices and turmoil in the Middle East reducing fuel use and dependence on foreign oil are important to all of us. We support efforts to improve fuel economy by laying out a long-term program, but encourage you to carefully consider a balanced and thoughtful approach: one that establishes one national standard that is both reasonably attainable and cost-effective. We 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, we recognize that overreaching regulations can place a significant cost burden on individuals, families and businesses in Missouri. 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. AgricultureAssociated Industries of Missouri

Letter to Secretary LaHood and Administrator Jackson July 13, 2011 Page Two
depends on affordable and reliable transportation, as do the construction industry and local trades. Manufacturing is an important source of jobs and revenue for Missouri and manufacturing depends on affordable vehicles to carry out day-to-day business needs. Missouri 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 Missouri'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 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. At Associated Industries of Missouri, we think every day about ways to promote job creation and security for our 1,100 employer members in Missouri. We encourage you to carefully balance all the factors that impact sensible fuel economy standards, including consumer choice, affordability and the economic concerns that will affect our nation's economic recovery.

Ray McCarty President/CEOQ) 0

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