EPA plans to eliminate Energy Star—the program that told consumers which appliances used less energy
An environmental protection agency plan to eliminate its energy star offices will end a decade program that has given the choice to consumers to buy friendly refrigerators, dishwasher and other electronics and save money on electric bills, consumer and environmental groups said.
Changes, outlined in agency documents reviewed by the Associated Press, are part ofAn extensive repairto EPA to remove or rearrange significant parts of the office focused on air pollution. Those plans advanced to President Donald Trump's sharp apostasy from the previous administration of climate change.
The EPA has not been confirmed directly that it is finishing the program, first reported on Tuesday by CNN, but said the reorganization “delivers organizational improvements to the structural staff that will directly benefit Americans and better promote the agency's main mission, while enabling the great American return.”
The EPA launched the Energy Star in 1992 with the aim of dealing with environmental protection and economic growth. It boosts the market for energy -efficient products and benefits companies designing label -profit furniture. A home that decides to buy Energy Star products can save $ 450 annually with energy costs, says the program's website.
“People recognize it right away, so it'll be like them 'Oh, it's star energy, so maybe I should be with this one,'” said Francis Dietz, a spokesman for air-conditioning, heating, and cooling.
Steven Nadel, executive director of the American Council for an energy -capable energy, said the program has enjoyed Bipartisan support until recently. It promotes efficiency by tightening standards when many products can meet label requirements, he said.
Large savings with money and pollution
Since its start, the program has reduced energy costs more than $ 500 billion and has stopped about 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas leaks, according to its website. The appliances can be responsible for tonnes of air pollution, but efficiency measures can reduce carbon dioxide, methane, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and fine particulate objects that make electricity leaks into the environment. These pollutants can damage the heart and lungs, and cause other health issues.
Trump'sThe proposed budget is asking to be removed by CongressThe entire EPA atmospheric protection program, which holds the Energy Star -operating offices. The budget described the program as “an overreach of government authority that imposes unnecessary and radical climate change regulations in businesses and prevents economic growth.”
But Sarah Gleeson, manager of climate research on climate climate nonprofit drawdown project, said American energy freedom depends on the ability to meet US energy requests, and the cutting program brings households at the same time.
Gleeson said the loss of the energy star will make it more difficult for consumers to have reliable information about the energy use of the products.
The label was voluntary, and Congress ordered it
The Energy Star label is voluntary for products that meet certain levels of efficiency, and differs from the energy department standards that sets the minimum efficiency requirements that products must meet for legal to sell. In the 2000s, Congress appointed the EPA and the Department of Energy to run an energy-economic program and promote the Energy Star.
The DOE did not comment on the changes and its role was advancing, postponing EPA questions. According to the program's website, DOE's role includes developing product testing methods. EPA is responsible for setting performance levels and ensuring that consumers can rely on the label.
Home appliance manufacturers say it supports an already -lined energy star program via DOE. Speaker Jill Notini said “the administration's goals will be able to protect a full selection of products where consumers can choose, and reduce unnecessary burden on regulation.”
Moving is the latest in Trump Administration'sMore widespread deregulator efforts. They announced plans toSlash Biden PoliciesTo reduce greenhouse gas leaks and prioritized fossil fuels and an energy dominance policy.
The President is particularly enthusiastic about eliminating efficiency standards, focusing that this results in products that are more valued and less effective, and they denied consumer selection. Trumphas reversed the rules that restrict water flowfor showerheads and other household items.
Trump targets star energy duringHis first stint in the White HouseBut faced with backlash.
“For an administration that continues to claim the country is faced with an 'energy emergency,' Trump continues to attack any and all efforts aimed at saving energy through efficiency,” Xavier Boatright, deputy of the legislative director for clean energy and electrification at the Sierra Club in a statement. “When we waste energy by poor furniture the fossil fuel industry uses it as a reason to pick up and sell more of its product to make more money behind Americans.”
This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
