Greetings,
As many of you know, RVDA has been working to let Congress know about the threat that extreme increases in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards pose to RV tow vehicle availability and the impact this could have on our dealerships, employees, and customers. There is now an alternative CAFE bill pending in the House of Representatives that is much more acceptable than the version the Senate passed last month. This bill is HR 2927, the “Hill/Terry alternative CAFE bill.” As part of an overall outreach to Congress by our automotive industry allies, we are asking for your help in contacting your representative in Congress TODAY.
If you do not already know how to contact your Congressional representative, the quickest way to help is to follow these easy steps.
1. Click here (or use the address below)
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
2. Enter your state and Zip+4 Zip code to locate your representative and click "Send a message."
3. You will be directed to your Congressional representative's Web site and asked to enter your Zip code.
4. Enter your contact information and COPY and PASTE this message below in the message area. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ADD YOUR OWN THOUGHTS ON THIS ISSUE IN THE MESSAGE.
As an RV dealer, I support reasonable increases in fuel economy to reduce driving costs and decrease dependence on imported oil. But the extreme fuel economy dictate passed by the Senate recently would have disastrous consequences for the RV industry by diminishing, or even eliminating, the hauling and towing capacity our customers require.
The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program is a law that resulted in many unfortunate consequences. For example, relatively minor increases in requirements since the program’s inception in the late 1970s removed the towing capacity of 99 percent of passenger cars, vehicles that were formerly used to tow RV trailers used by millions of Americans for camping. This loss of utility fostered the move to larger SUVs and pickups that are now the mainstays of our industry because they can tow RV trailers and fifth wheels.
As you consider legislation, we are conditionally supporting, and urge you to cosponsor HR 2927, the “Hill/Terry alternative CAFE bill.” While specifying a very significant increase in fuel economy for all vehicles, it recognizes the performance differences and uses of light trucks. It allows some regulatory flexibility in setting actual fuel economy standards.
I request that any legislation passed by the House spread “energy savings” broadly throughout the economy, rather than just the motor vehicle-related sector, and that it include a stipulation that hauling and towing capacity must be considered and preserved as fuel economy levels are set.
5. (Optional). You can also fax your representative. You can find your representative's fax number by clicking here or use the link below and enter your state and Zip+4 Zip code.
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
Send an e-mail to info@rvda.org if you have any questions or need assistance. Thanks for your support on this extremely important issue.
Mike Molino, CAE
President
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