Trump Administration to End EPA's 30-Year Energy Star Program Amid Reorganization and $500 Billion Energy Savings

The Trump administration is planning to terminate the Energy Star program, an initiative run by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that has certified the energy efficiency of home appliances for over 30 years. This move is part of a broader EPA reorganization that includes the elimination of two key divisions focused on climate change and energy efficiency. The Energy Star program has been credited with helping Americans save over $500 billion in energy costs since its inception in 1992. The administration's decision comes amid budget cuts and staff reductions at the EPA, which have raised concerns among experts about the agency's ability to protect the public from environmental hazards such as toxic algal blooms and to maintain weather monitoring and climate research. Critics warn that these cuts could increase risks to public safety and disaster preparedness, particularly as the U.S. approaches storm seasons. The termination of the Energy Star program could also impact consumers by removing a widely recognized label that helps identify energy-efficient appliances.