On Friday, President Donald Trump released his budget proposal, which included targeted cuts to federal clean energy programs and ending funding to what the president calls "the Green New Scam." The Trump administration is now shifting its focus to energy efficiency programs. CNN reported Tuesday that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to shutter the Energy Star program.
First launched under President George H.W. Bush in 1992, Energy Star sets voluntary energy efficiency standards for appliances and buildings. Products that meet the program's standards are allowed to display the Energy Star label, which is recognized by 90 percent of American households, according to the program's website. The program also helps homeowners utilize federal energy efficiency tax credits.
Energy Star says it has saved consumers more than $500 billion in energy costs since 1992, with $42 billion saved in 2020 alone. The use of Energy Star products has also prevented 4 billion tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from entering the atmosphere, according to the EPA. The EPA says the estimated annual market value of Energy Star product sales is $100 billion.
