lncluding Cover Sheet

Phone: 8o4644-16o7 

Fax:	804-783-6112 

JtJL.21.2011 10:55 CI4AMBER OF COMMERCE 

604783611DA1LY READJN FJLF 

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.con1
JUL.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