Kildee Leads Successful Effort to Protect Consumer Choice by Maintaining Prominent MPG Labeling on Automobiles

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that they have scrapped the idea of replacing customary miles per gallon fuel efficiency labeling with letter grades. These grades arbitrarily reserved the highest grades for a very narrow range of vehicles and penalized many others with lower grades. This announcement comes after Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI), Co-Chair of the Congressional Automotive Caucus, and Congressman Steven LaTourette (R-OH), led a bipartisan letter signed by 53 Members of Congress to the EPA and the DOT, calling on them to maintain prominent miles per gallon information.

“I am very pleased that the EPA and DOT have heeded my call to maintain prominent miles per gallon labeling. Over the years, these labels have become a tried and true measure for consumers as they decide which car or truck is right for them. Changing this system to a letter grade would have caused confusion, and would have unfairly given mediocre or low marks to many fuel efficient SUVs and trucks. This decision protects consumer choice and I am proud that my efforts were successful,” said Congressman Kildee. 

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said: “Today’s announcement by EPA and DOT is a victory for consumers.  The average car buyer is a savvy shopper who gathers much information prior to buying a car, so the decision to go with informative MPG labels fits consumer needs well.  This label provides clear, visible data on fuel economy in a format consumers are already familiar with.  The Alliance commends Congressman Kildee for his leadership on this important issue.”


The full text of the letter is below.


December 8, 2010
 
Lisa Jackson, Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460
 
Ray LaHood, Secretary
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
 
Dear Administrator Jackson and Secretary LaHood:
 
We are writing regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s and the Department of Transportation’s proposed redesign of fuel economy labels, as required by the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007. 
 
As you know, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) mandated that the DOT issue a rulemaking implementing this law.  On September 23, both EPA and DOT issued a notice of proposed rulemaking.
 
The proposed rule presents two primary label options.  Label 1 minimizes miles per gallon (mpg), an objective measure of the fuel economy performance of a vehicle, in favor of a prominently displayed subjective “letter grade”.   In contrast, Label 2 focuses on the mpg metric and implements the other information Congress required under EISA.  Consumers are very familiar with the mpg metric and rely on it when purchasing a new motor vehicle. 
 
Additionally, unlike the mpg metric, the proposed grading system is biased in favor of certain types of vehicles.   The “A” and “A+” categories are reserved for a very narrow range of vehicles, i.e., battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.  However, a fuel efficient, clean diesel vehicle would be penalized with a low or mediocre grade.   Similarly, most fuel efficient SUVs and pickup trucks would rate no higher than a “C+”. 
 
We hope you will agree that it is essential for consumers to have clear and concise information about the fuel economy performance of their vehicle.  However, Label 1 marginalizes the most important piece of information on the fuel economy sticker, namely the fuel economy of the vehicle.  Moreover, Label 1 unfairly promotes certain vehicles over others. 
 
We believe that Label 2 better serves the needs of the consumer by continuing to prominently display the mpg of the vehicle, and is consistent with the statutory intent of EISA. Although the deadline for public comment has passed, we appreciate your agencies allowing us to submit this letter for the public record.
 
Sincerely,

Rep. Dale E. Kildee
Rep. Steve LaTourette
Rep. Ed Whitfield
Rep. G.K. Butterfield
Rep. Spencer Bachus
Rep. Sue Myrick
Rep. James Sensenbrenner
Rep. Gary Peters
Rep. Betty Sutton
Rep. John D. Dingell
Rep. Donald Manzullo
Rep. John Campbell
Rep. Todd Akin
Rep. John Barrow
Rep. Thaddeus McCotter
Rep. Marsha Blackburn
Rep. Sander Levin
Rep. Mike Simpson
Rep. Geoff Davis
Rep. Lee Terry
Rep. Mike Rogers
Rep. Candice S. Miller
Rep. Charles A. Gonzalez
Rep. Patrick J. Tiberi
Rep. Brett Guthrie              
Rep. Phil Gingrey              
Rep. John Sullivan              
Rep. Scott Garrett               
Rep. Elton Gallegly             
Rep. Jim Matheson                       
Rep. Tim Holden               
Rep. Sam Graves               
Rep. Mike Ross                   
Rep. Robert Aderholt            
Rep. Greg Walden              
Rep. Mary Bono Mack                    
Rep. Andre Carson               
Rep. Tim Ryan              
Rep. Bennie Thompson     
Rep. Cliff Stearns               
Rep. Joseph R.  Pitts 
Rep. Dave Camp                 
Rep. Steve Scalise                
Rep. Bob Latta                  
Rep. Ralph Hall               
Rep. Tim Murphy          
Rep. Lamar Smith             
Rep. Dan Lungren             
Rep. Dan Burton               
Rep. Judy Biggert               
Rep. Dave Loebsack           
Rep. Mark Schauer
Rep. Bruce Braley


###