Trump to Axe Energy Star

M.A. Dworkin

The Trump Administration plans to eliminate the Energy Star program, a 33 year-old energy efficiency certification for appliances such as refrigerators and dishwashers that has helped American consumers save more than $500 billion in energy costs. 

The program, which is very popular in the U.S. Virgin Islands, was launched during a Republican Administration and Republican controlled Congress in a sprawling 2005 energy bill that President George W. Bush signed into law. It was endorsed by manufacturers and well-recognized by U.S. consumers. But President Donald Trump’s Administration has decided that the Energy Star program is of no use to their interests and needs to be eliminated. 

Knowledgeable sources have confirmed that the program, which certifies the most energy efficient appliances and buildings with the Energy Star label, has been earmarked by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be on its way to the Trump chopping block.

Because Energy Star has had strong support across the political spectrum and from industry as well as environmentalists, close observers are struggling to understand the Trump Administration’s motivations for such a move. 

The program first focused on personal computers, monitors, and printers, but expanded over the years to cover more than 50 home appliances, from heating and air conditioning systems to refrigerators, washers and dryers and lighting. Beginning in 1995, Energy Star certification expanded to include homes and commercial buildings. 

At this time, it is not clear if the Trump Administration can eliminate the program, which is administered by both EPA and the Department of Energy, without a new Act of Congress.