Trump Administration Plans to Eliminate EPA's 33-Year-Old Energy Efficiency Program

The Trump administration is planning to eliminate the Energy Star program, a 33-year-old initiative managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that certifies the energy efficiency of home appliances. The decision was announced during an EPA meeting, where it was revealed that the program would be part of a broader agency reorganization led by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.

Energy Star, launched in 1992 under President George H.W. Bush, has been instrumental in helping American consumers save over $500 billion in energy costs and prevent 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. The program, with a budget of $32 million, has delivered a 350-to-one return on investment. Its blue labels have become a familiar sight on appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers, indicating that they meet EPA's energy efficiency standards.

The move to end the program has drawn criticism from various quarters, including lawmakers and environmental groups. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse criticized the decision as a 'giveaway to polluters' and detrimental to family budgets. Paula Glover, president of the nonprofit Alliance to Save Energy, stated that 'eliminating the Energy Star program would directly contradict this administration’s promise to reduce household energy costs.' The administration's rationale for the cuts is part of its broader goal to reduce federal spending and boost fossil fuel and mineral extraction.