White House plans to shut down program that has helped Americans save more than $500,000,000,000
The Trump administration is reportedly planning to shut down the Energy Star program, which has saved Americans over $500 billion since its 1992 launch by promoting energy-efficient appliances and buildings. According to sources, EPA officials were informed of the decision during a meeting, though the fate of associated tax credits—like the $2,500 credit for energy-efficient home construction—remains unclear. The program, costing just $32 million annually, currently saves households an average of $1,176 per year and has prevented billions of metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
Critics, including US Green Building Council’s Ben Evans, call the move “incredibly shortsighted,” arguing it contradicts the administration’s goal of government efficiency. Energy Star’s potential closure could also impact environmental progress, as its standards have historically reduced emissions equivalent to removing 933 million gas-powered cars from roads yearly. The decision has sparked concerns about losing both financial savings and climate benefits.
