EPA to cut program that puts energy efficiency stickers on your appliances

For more than three decades, energy efficiency appliances such as washers, dryers, refrigerators and dishwashers

have been easy to find at home improvement and big box stores

The ENERGY STAR blue label and symbol is attached to the product. Now, the New York Times reports the Environmental Protection Agency plans to eliminate the ENERGY STAR program

which has been in existence since 1992. The EPA made the announcement during a staff meeting this week

telling staff overseeing climate change and energy efficiency their divisions would be eliminated as part of a reorganization

The climate change office and division include ENERGY STAR. The report quoted Paul Gunning, director of the Office of Atmospheric Protections, as saying

quote, the ENERGY STAR program and all other climate work outside of what's required by statute is being deprioritized and eliminated, end quote

The blue label signified that an appliance met government energy efficiency standards

Many American shoppers looked for the label in order to use less electricity

while at the same time reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The Energy Star website touts that it has helped families and businesses

save more than $500 billion in energy costs since its inception more than 30 years ago

Paula Glover, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, told the Times

the program costs about $32 million a year to implement, but saves $40 million on utility bills

each year adding that eliminating the Energy Star program is counterintuitive to this administration pledge to reduce household costs However President Trump has criticized energy appliances since taking office in January

having already signed an executive order eliminating federal standards on low-flow toilets and showerheads designed to conserve water. He also unsuccessfully tried to cut funding for

ENERGY STAR during his first term, believing it could be run by the private sector. A spokesman

for the EPA would not confirm for the Times if ENERGY STAR is being eliminated, but says they

are making, quote, organizational improvements to the personnel structure that will directly benefit

the American people and better advance the agency's core mission. Back in March, a number

of companies and organizations urged new EPA administrator Lee Zeldin to keep ENERGY STAR

telling him that eliminating the program would not serve the American people. Last week, Zeldin

announced the EPA is also cutting staff to levels seen in the 1980s when there were between 11,000

and 14,000 employees. It currently has a workforce of about 15,000 people. Zeldin said, quote

this reorganization will bring much-needed efficiencies to incorporate science into our rulemakings and sharply focus our work on providing the cleanest air, land, and water for our

communities. He went on to say the moves would save $300 million a year for the American people

ENERGY STAR was introduced in 1992, and over the years, Americans have come to recognize the blue label

According to energy efficiency advocates, the program has enjoyed support from all presidents and administrations, except for President Trump

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