### lncluding Cover Sheet Phone: 8o4644-16o7 Fax: 

### 804-783-6112 CI4AMBER OF COMMERCE JtJL.21.2011 10:55 604783611 

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usin€ss Leadership for VIrinias Future 9 South Fifth Street Richmond, Virginia 23219



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## 'IO^:I^^V\v:Cc.^'czRUR0 Urgent I] For Your Review D Please Cornrneat fl Please Reply

9 South Fifth Street, Richmo,id. Virginia 23219 www.vathamber.m•Ju:,2:.2011 10:55 8047636112 VA CMkM2ER O COMMERCE



### ChAMBER OF COMMERCE Uucriess I esdership fur Vi iiiIas



### The I lonorahie Ray LaHood The Honorable Lisa Jackson Secretary Administrator I )epartnient of Transportation Envi ronniental Protection Agency 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20590 Washington, DC 20004
Deur Secretary Lal-lood and Adini n I strator Jackson: i'hc Virginia Chamber of Commerce is focused oil proactive poiicies that support business interests and wovide Virginia with a more secure thture. Iransportatiori is a critical component of our economic vitality and given that tile U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NIITSA) are now developing national hid economy standards for 2017-2025, 1 

### wanted to shate my views. SaIU, efficient and reliable transportation is necessary to businesses across our commonwealth. Many jobs and businesses in Virginia are tied directly to cost effective transportation. especially for many of our members who operate large vehicle fleets. We support your efforts to improve fuel economy by laying out a long-term program, but encourage you to carefully consider a business-friendly, balanced and thou ghtftil approach. Many of our members depend on large fleets of vehicles in their day to day operations. Iffliel economy standards increase too quickly: resulting in more expensive vehicles, many of our members would have no choice but to extend the life of their aging vehicles, deferring new purchases, 'l'his, no doubt, puts jobs across the country at risk. l3usinesses across Virginia and the country rely on a wide range of vehicles to meet their needs. Sonic businesses require automobiles with sufficient passenger space, while others need vans and utility vehicles to conduct commerce. Agriculture depends on pickup trucks, as do the construction industry and local trades, Fuel standards need to be as diverse as the transportation needs of our nation. We encourage NHTSA and the EPA to adopt a single, national hid economy standard that considers America's needs for increased fuel economy while prescn'ing the choices for hLtsinesses to meet their transpol-tatisin needs without sacrificing jobs. NIITSA and EPA have already set strong standards for
2012-2016 

### that raise the fleet average by 40% to 35 

### miles per gallon and looking forward, technology improvements should continue to pave the way for increases in fuel economy. However, please recognize that overreaching regulations can place a significant cost burden on businesses in Virginia.

9 Suulh fth Street • Richmond, Virjhriis 23213 • 8011.644 1607 • Ft9x 504-753411 12 • wwvtv,Lhumuer.con1JUL.21.2011 10:55 6047236112 VA CMAN2ER OF COMMERCE #1536 P.003 /003

At the Virginia Chamber of Conimerce, we think every day about ways to promote job creation and security fbr our region. We encourage you to carelbily balance the thetors that impact sensible thel economy standards, including consumer choice, affordability and the economic concerns that weigh on ow' nation's fragile recovery'.

Barry DuVal President & CEO