DAILY READING FILE 

Message Information 

Date 07/15/2011 03:22 PM 

From "Amanda Mika" <amikacityofwarren.org > 

To <ray.lahood©dot.gov >; LisaP Jackson/DC/USEPA!US@EPA 

Subject Letter from City of Warren, Michigan Mayor James Fouts regarding Fuel 

Economy 

Message Body 

Please see attached a letter from Warren, Michigan Mayor James Fouts in regards to the Fuel 

Economy. 

If you should have any questions or require further information please feel free to contact Mayor 

Fouts at 586-574-4520 or 586-481-0545. 

Thank you and have a great weekend. 

Anwnda J'vlika 

Mapor's Office 

City of Warren 

One City Square, Ste. 215 

Warren, MI 48093 

586-574-4520 

anzika@cityofwarreiz.org

Letter to Ray Lahood and Lisa Jackson.pdf 

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James P. Fouls Mayor 

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR 

ONE CITY SQUARE, SuITE 215


WARREN, [VII 48093-6726


(586) 574-4520 

www.cityotwarren.org

The Honorable Lisa Jackson 

Administrator 

Environmental Protection Agency 

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW 

Washington, DC 20004 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary 

Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Dear Secretary LaHood and Administrator Jackson: 

Today jobs, the economy and energy security are on the minds of every American. As 

the mayor of Warren, I am focused on proactive policies to address these critical issues 

and grow my city 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 

my city. Jobs in manufacturing 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 city.
James R. Fout 

Mayor of Warren

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 pick-up, 

as do the construction industry and local trades. Retail business is an important source 

of revenue for my city, and it depends on vehicles to carry out day-to-day business 

needs. 

My residents all share the need for the 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 a 

priority as rising fuel economy. 

As Warren mayor, I think every day about lob creation and security for my city. As a 

policymaker, I know that good regulations and laws are often a balancing act between 

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.