The New York Times reports that the EPA will cut the Energy Star energy-efficiency program in an effort to save costs.
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For more than three decades, energy efficiency appliances such as washers, dryers, refrigerators and dishwashers
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have been easy to find at home improvement and big box stores
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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
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which has been in existence since 1992. The EPA made the announcement during a staff meeting this week
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telling staff overseeing climate change and energy efficiency their divisions would be eliminated as part of a reorganization
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The climate change office and division include ENERGY STAR. The report quoted Paul Gunning, director of the Office of Atmospheric Protections, as saying
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quote, the ENERGY STAR program and all other climate work outside of what's required by statute is being deprioritized and eliminated, end quote
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The blue label signified that an appliance met government energy efficiency standards
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Many American shoppers looked for the label in order to use less electricity
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while at the same time reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The Energy Star website touts that it has helped families and businesses
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save more than $500 billion in energy costs since its inception more than 30 years ago
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Paula Glover, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, told the Times
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the program costs about $32 million a year to implement, but saves $40 million on utility bills
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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
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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
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ENERGY STAR during his first term, believing it could be run by the private sector. A spokesman
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for the EPA would not confirm for the Times if ENERGY STAR is being eliminated, but says they
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are making, quote, organizational improvements to the personnel structure that will directly benefit
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the American people and better advance the agency's core mission. Back in March, a number
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of companies and organizations urged new EPA administrator Lee Zeldin to keep ENERGY STAR
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telling him that eliminating the program would not serve the American people. Last week, Zeldin
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announced the EPA is also cutting staff to levels seen in the 1980s when there were between 11,000
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and 14,000 employees. It currently has a workforce of about 15,000 people. Zeldin said, quote
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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
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communities. He went on to say the moves would save $300 million a year for the American people
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ENERGY STAR was introduced in 1992, and over the years, Americans have come to recognize the blue label
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According to energy efficiency advocates, the program has enjoyed support from all presidents and administrations, except for President Trump
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