Elisa M.T. Basnight’s Letter to the Editor Published in the Philadelphia Inquirer

A Letter to the Editor concerning new fuel efficiency standards written by Elisa M.T. Basnight, an Associate in the Corporate Section in the firm’s Philadelphia office, was published in the Philadelphia Inquirer on September 6, 2012.

Basnight’s letter reads:

Step toward energy independence

The U.S. Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency recently announced new fuel efficiency standards for cars to reach 54.5 m.p.g. by 2025, which will help save families money during our economic recovery and encourage technological innovation.

In addition, improved fuel efficiency will help protect our national security, since decreasing our foreign oil dependence will reduce the billions of dollars we send overseas to regimes that do not have America's best interests in mind. As a veteran of the U.S. Army, I am keenly aware and supportive of the fact that these new standards will not just save consumers money and create economic opportunity here at home - they will also help save the lives of service men and women and lessen our military's vulnerabilities due to its reliance on foreign oil.

These standards are another step toward greater energy independence for our country, and that is something I think all veterans can appreciate.