Copyright 2002 The Buffalo News  
Buffalo News (New York)
February 27, 2002 Wednesday, FINAL EDITION
SECTION: VIEWPOINTS, Pg.C7

LENGTH: 318 words

HEADLINE: CAFE BILL PUTS JOBS, ECONOMY AT RISK

BODY:
As plant manager of the General Motors Tonawanda Engine Plant, I am proud of the quality engines produced by our 3,500 employees. We pay out almost $270 million annually in wages, and the majority of that money gets spent right here in Western New York.

Now the security of those jobs and the health of our local economy are at risk from new fuel economy rules being considered by the U.S. Senate.

The proposed legislation would set unrealistic Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. Particularly hard-hit would be light trucks, including SUVs, minivans and pickups.

The stricter mandates would force manufacturers to decrease production of many of the most popular family vehicles, risking the security of jobs throughout the entire auto industry.

As a business, GM's Tonawanda Plant paid more than $2.5 million last year in property, sales and highway-use taxes. In the past three years, GM has spent almost $450 million in launching two new engines at our facility.

It also has committed to $500 million more as we build a new facility on Vulcan Street to build two new engines, both more powerful and more fuel-efficient than the equivalent engines built today. This has been a great boost to the local construction industry.

And don't forget the almost $50 million we pay out to New York State suppliers alone. If we have to stop producing engines and lay off employees, our suppliers will feel the pain as well.

If this legislation goes through, 900 jobs could be lost. Now is the time to stop being distracted by CAFE and focus all of our efforts on increasing fuel efficiency through advanced technology.

Congress can support our efforts through consumer tax incentives that will get these vehicles on the road quicker. Better yet, it will keep the Tonawanda Engine Plant and the local economy running at full speed.

KEITH CAMPBELL

Amherst

LOAD-DATE: March 1, 2002