Does this Trump guy have anyone even reviewing whether ending these programs would help the American people? If so, does he even care? It's like Trump's every policy "idea" is as straight out of the 80's as his kooky trade ideas. Trump plans to end Energy Star home appliance program amid EPA reorganization May 6 (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to end Energy Star, a program whose iconic blue labels have certified the energy efficiency of home appliances for more than three decades, as part of its broader reorganization, two sources briefed on the reorganization told Reuters. The proposed end of the popular program would come as part of the dissolution of the EPA's Office of Atmospheric Protection (OAP) and the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards - presented as part of Friday's agency reorganization announcement. In March, nearly three dozen trade industry groups and appliance companies including the Chamber of Commerce, Bosch, Carrier and the Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin urging him not to end Energy Star because it was a good "non-regulatory" collaboration between the private sector and federal government. "Eliminating it will not serve the American people. In fact, because the ENERGY STAR brand is highly recognizable to consumers, it is likely that, should the program be eliminated, it will be supplanted by initiatives that drive results counter to the goals of this administration such as decreased features, functionality, performance, or increased costs," the letter said. https://www.reuters.com/business/en...rogram-home-appliances-washington-2025-05-06/
Not sure if the article mentions it but this also makes our stuff less competitive internationally as well so it's really just a giant lose for no reason. I guess saving energy/money is a liberal thing?
"it will be supplanted by initiatives that drive results counter to the goals of this administration such as decreased features, functionality, performance, or increased costs," the letter said." Some would argue these align perfectly well.
it would make sense for manufacturers to maintain this type of rating, regardless of the EPA and the stupid decision to do away with it
So we are going to relax energy conservation standards in an industry that is 85% imported? Great. We will have China dumping its inefficient models here and the US unable to export its models. Seems stupid so it checks out. The United States Home Appliance Industry Outlook 2022 - 2026 American home appliance exports are projected to remain flat over the next five years. Last year, exports totaled $857 million, and are expected to reach $851 million by 2026. Since 1996, exports have declined by an average of 1.3% annually. American home appliance imports, on the other hand, are expected to increase. Last year, imports totaled $5.1 billion, and are predicted to reach $5.7 billion by 2026, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. Since 1996, imports have grown by an average of 4.5% each year. Germany, Japan, and France are the top three exporters to the U.S.
Another stupid move based on who knows what. And his supporters will make weird rationalizations about the decision.
Nothing is stopping the companies from continuing this right? I mean it is unregulated iirc. I'm not justifying the move, just saying.
Seems like yet another solution looking for a problem.... in the name of fighting "woke"ness, I guess? Rollback on environmental protection, energy saving initiatives, the national park service, etc.
I doubt they would still be able to use the brand, as the brand would be registered to the program rather than to a particular company. Now, the issue here is that the brand actually matters because it is incentive aligning. If a company puts up an uncertified claim of "Energy Efficient," a consumer will likely discount this claim due to their persuasion knowledge (I know that you are trying to get me to do something) and incentive misalignment. In simple terms, I know that Whirlpool is trying to sell me a dishwasher, so I, as a consumer, don't believe them fully (even if they are telling the full truth). The goal of this program is to do it at an industry level, which aligns incentives. The manufacturers produce truly energy efficient products to get the label as that will help them sell products. The consumer then finds a signal that they can believe.
Taking the company’s word for “sure, this is energy efficient” isn’t the same as meeting a national standard that is tested by certified laboratories.
"I don't buy products based on advertising"- Every consumer in a market in which there is substantial evidence of the effects of advertising on customer purchasing behavior and in which this is revealed by companies spending hundreds of billions each year on advertising.
When I go to a store to buy an appliance i've already decided in advance what I want, usually based on consumer report ratings. I never see the yellow energy star sticker on it.
Trump literally tells his followers what to think and get upset about. “Gulf of America! that is a key issue - MAGA”. Energy Star has never come up, and now trump followers will get all spun up about it.
Sounds like you are considering energy star ratings, then, since Consumer Report does consider energy efficiency in their own ratings.
I'm curious who would even benefit from this? As far as I can tell, not the customers or the businesses.
but the those energy star ratings go away, consumer reports will still be making their recommendations. I put higher value on reliability then on energy savings
The lowest cost producers, as they would like less salience of ownership costs or environmental impacts and more salience on up-front price. Outside of them, yeah, it seems to be little more than vice signaling.
