Letter to Senator Bill Frist, Senate Majority, to Oppose
Increase in CAFE Standards

June 16, 2005

The Honorable Bill Frist
Senate Majority Leader
Capitol S-230
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Majority Leader Frist:

The U.S. Senate is in the process of considering various energy-related provisions and amendments to the comprehensive energy bill which passed the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources earlier this month. It has come to our attention that amendments may be forthcoming calling for increases to the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) standards including light trucks. The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources defeated similar amendments, in a bipartisan way. The organizations listed below strongly oppose any increase in CAFÉ standards.

Our opposition is based on concerns that such a federal mandate will have a negative impact on consumers and translate directly into a narrower choice of vehicles for America’s farmers and ranchers, who depend on affordable and functional light trucks to perform the daily rigors of farm and ranch work. Our groups cannot support standards that increase the purchase price of trucks, while decreasing horsepower, towing capacity, and torque. In addition, recent studies indicate that an aggressive increase in the CAFÉ standard for light trucks could add over $3,000.00 in the purchase price per vehicle. This would result in yet another added production cost for U.S. farmers and ranchers that cannot be passed on when selling farm commodities.

On behalf of farm and ranch families across the country who rely on affordable light trucks and similar vehicles for farming and transportation needs, we urge you to oppose any amendments calling for an increase in CAFÉ standards as well as any amendment which will have the effect of increasing those standards.

Sincerely,