The consumer-friendly Energy Star program survived Trump. What about other efficiency efforts?
Energy Star, the program that helps guide consumers to more energy-efficient appliances and electronics, has survived the Trump administration\'s plans to cut it.The program received sufficient support in Congress that it was included in budget legislation signed this week by President Donald Trump.Environmentalists and advocates called it good news for consumers and the planet, but raised concerns over how the program will be administered under a shrunken Environmental Protection Agency.But Energy Star is not the only energy efficiency program targeted by Trump.Here\'s what to know about the outlook for that program and others.What\'s Trump got against energy efficiency?Trump has regularly said efficiency standards for household items and appliances — many strengthened under predecessor Joe Biden\'s administration — rob consumers of choice and add unnecessary costs.His first executive order upon returning to office last year outlined a vision to "unleash American energy." In it, he emphasized safeguarding "the American people\'s freedom to choose" everything from light bulbs to gas stoves to water heaters and shower heads.At the same time Trump has targeted efficiency, he\'s also sought to block renewable energy development such as wind and solar and boosted fossil fuels that contribute to warming, including gas, oil and coal.What happened with Energy Star?Energy Star is a voluntary, decades-old EPA-run program that informs consumers about how efficient home appliances and electronics are, including dishwashers, washing machines and more. The idea is to simultaneously reduce emissions and save consumers money on their energy bills.The Department of Energy develops product testing procedures for Energy Star, while the EPA sets performance levels and ensures the certification label is reliable for consumers. It also applies to new homes, commercial buildings and plants.EPA says the program has saved 4 billion metric tonnes (4.41 billion tons) of planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions since launching in 1992, and can save households an average of $450 annually.Last May, EPA drafted plans to eliminate Energy Star as part of a broader agency reorganization that targeted air pollution regulation efforts and other critical environmental functions. The agency said the reorganization would deliver "organizational improvements to the personnel structure" to benefit the American people.Many groups advocated against the potential closure of the program, citing its benefits to consumers.The legislation Trump signed this week allocated $33 million for the program, slightly more than 2024\'s $32.1 million, according to the Congressional Research Service, but it continues the general trend of declining funding for the program over the past decade. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, among many industry groups to advocate for keeping the program in letters sent to Congress, said it was "very pleased" to see the funding continue.Some concerns remainExperts say uncertainty around the program likely didn\'t impact consumers much over the past year. They note that manufacturers can\'t change their product lines overnight.Amanda Smith, a senior scientist at climate research organization Project Drawdown, said the uncertainty may have had a bigger effect on EPA\'s ability to administer the program. She was among experts wondering how staffing cuts may affect EPA\'s work.EPA spokesperson Brigit Hirsch didn\'t address a question about that, saying in a statement only that EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin "will follow the law as enacted by Congress."What other energy efficiency rules are still in limbo?The Department of Energy has proposed rolling back, weakening or revoking 17 other minimum efficiency standards for energy and water conservation as part of 47 broader deregulatory actions. Those are standards that must be met for the products to be sold legally.That includes air cleaners, ovens, dehumidifiers, portable air conditioners, washers, dishwashers, faucets and many more items that have been in place and updated over the years."These are standards that are quietly saving people money on their utility bills year after year in a way that most consumers never notice," said Andrew deLaski, executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project. "The striking thing is that consumers have a huge array of choices in appliances in the market today. Repealing these standards would simply increase cost. It just doesn\'t make sense."Changing efficiency measures also drives up energy demand at a time when utilities are already challenged to meet the growing needs of data centers, electrification and more.While Congress has supported Energy Star and these separate appliance standards, it also has advanced legislation that would give the president new powers to roll back rules.Manufacturers are likely to continue making efficient consumer appliances, but weakened rules could negatively impact the U.S. marketplace."The problem for U.S. manufacturers is that overseas competitors making inefficient products elsewhere could now flood the U.S. market," deLaski said, noting that would undercut American manufacturers. (AP)
2026-02-08 02:34:00