SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TO OBAMA: STRONG AUTO FUEL EFFICIENCY
New poll shows small business overwhelmingly supports setting strong standards now
Washington, D.C. - President Obama is expected to announce the details of a highly anticipated deal today to increase federal fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks, an announcement that could greatly impact the economic outlook of small businesses across the country. Independent polling by Small Business Majority finds that 87 percent of small business owners overwhelmingly support adopting strong fuel efficiency standards now, and 80 percent support requiring the auto industry to increase mileage to 60 mpg by 2025.
Early media reports indicate that the president's proposed standard will be a strong one, designed to address the crippling impact of volatile gas prices on small businesses like those who support such a standard in Small Business Majority's poll.
A strong standard will save us money on fuel costs, said John Arensmeyer, founder and CEO of Small Business Majority, a national organization focused on solving the biggest problems facing America's 28 million small businesses. Small business owners who save money on energy costs reinvest those dollars in new jobs and economic activity. A strong standard will drive that economic activity further, faster.
Small business owners say that in order to survive and remain competitive, they need automobiles that get better gas mileage and cost less to operate.
The cars and trucks small business owners need simply aren't available right now, Arensmeyer said. Small Business Majority commends the Administration on moving forward with getting more fuel efficient cars and trucks on the market that will ultimately improve small business's bottom line. We look forward to hearing more details in the coming months.
To interview John Arensmeyer, call Roxanna Smith at 323.466.2491.
For more information visit:
http://www.smallbusinessmajority.org/energy/index_national.php
Poll results in this statement represent initial findings from an Internet survey of 1,257 small businesses nationwide conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research for Small Business Majority, +/- 2.76% margin of error. Full results will be released in the fall.
Small Business Majority is a national nonpartisan small business advocacy organization focused on solving the biggest problems facing America's 28 million small businesses. We conduct extensive opinion and economic research and work with small business owners, policy experts and elected officials nationwide to bring small business voices to the public policy table.