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 a long-running government program that has helped Americans save a huge amount of money—over \$500 billion since it started. This program, called Energy Star, has been around since 1992 and helps people identify which appliances and buildings are energy-efficient.
If you’ve ever seen the little blue Energy Star label on your fridge, washing machine, or other appliances, that’s what we’re talking about. It helps people buy products that use less energy, which lowers their electricity bills. Right now, it’s estimated that the program saves Americans about \$40 billion every year. That’s roughly \$1,176 in savings for every person in the country.
Despite these massive savings, sources say the Trump administration has told staff at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that they plan to shut down Energy Star. This information was reportedly shared in a meeting with employees at the EPA’s Office of Atmospheric Protection, which oversees the program.
The move has been criticized by experts. Ben Evans from the U.S. Green Building Council pointed out that Energy Star gives people simple, useful information to help them choose efficient products, and it only costs the government about \$32 million a year to run. He called the decision to close it “incredibly shortsighted,” especially since the goal of Energy Star aligns with other efforts in government to save money for taxpayers.
The program has also played a role in helping builders and homeowners get tax credits for making energy-efficient choices, like building energy-saving homes or upgrading appliances. It’s unclear whether these tax breaks would continue if the program is canceled.
In addition to saving money, Energy Star has also helped reduce pollution. A 2023 government report says it has kept about four billion metric tons of greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere. That’s similar to taking nearly a billion gas-powered cars off the road for a year.
