- Personal Finance. Does the unchanged Federal Reserve interest rates signal the risk of inflation? Here's what experts think
- Personal Finance. These products made in China could soon be in short supply in the US due to Trump's tariffs
The Trump istration is once again targeting a long-standing energy efficiency initiative, this time setting its sights on the Energy Star program, a government-run label that has helped millions of Americans cut utility bills and reduce environmental impact for over three decades.
Initially launched in 1992 under President George H.W. Bush, the Energy Star program certifies appliances, electronics, and buildings that meet strict energy-saving criteria. Products displaying its familiar blue sticker have become a trusted choice for consumers looking to save money while minimizing their carbon footprint.
Why Energy Star matters to your wallet
At a recent EPA meeting, documents revealed a reorganization plan that includes eliminating Energy Star, although the agency stopped short of explicitly confirming its shutdown.
Still, internal sources and union representatives say employees were directly told the program would be closed.
While the EPA framed the changes as part of broader "organizational improvements," the silence around Energy Star's fate has only fueled concern among lawmakers, industry groups, and environmental advocates.
The program's reach is enormous.
Roughly $100 billion worth of certified products are sold each year, and it's credited with saving consumers over $500 billion in energy costs since its inception.
Beyond economic benefits, the EPA reports the program has prevented 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, an environmental win at no extra cost to taxpayers.
So why eliminate it?
The istration argues that energy efficiency rules increase costs for manufacturers and reduce consumer choice, particularly in areas like appliances and vehicles.
President Trump has frequently criticized modern energy-saving devices, calling out low water pressure and inefficient showers as personal frustrations.
His January executive order calls for fewer restrictions on consumer goods, favoring fossil fuel development and deregulation as part of a broader economic plan.
However, industry response to the proposed cut has been overwhelmingly negative.
Dozens of appliance makers and trade groups have urged the EPA to preserve Energy Star, warning that eliminating such a popular and credible program could lead to inferior replacements and higher operating costs for consumers.
Critics, including Democratic lawmakers, see the move as a gift to polluters at the expense of American families, arguing it will sabotage budgets rather than them.
If the program is dismantled, American consumers could soon face a landscape of pricier, less efficient products, with no reliable benchmark to guide their choices.
For many, that means higher energy bills, more environmental harm, and fewer options at the checkout line.