E.P.A. Plans to Shut Down the Energy Star Program
New York Times2 days
EPA to End Energy Star Program
Above: Energy-efficient washers at Earl B. Feiden appliance store in Latham, N.Y. on March 19, 2012. Image copyright: Lori Van Buren/Contributor/Albany Times Union via Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
The Energy Star program represents government overreach and unnecessary spending that burdens American industries with costly mandates. Streamlining the EPA and eliminating such voluntary programs will save taxpayers money while allowing the private sector to handle energy efficiency standards more effectively. The reorganization will deliver improvements that better serve Americans while advancing the agency's core mission.
Democratic narrative
Eliminating Energy Star would directly contradict efforts to reduce household energy costs and remove a trusted tool that helps consumers make informed decisions about energy-efficient products. The program's remarkable return on investment, $350 in consumer savings for every federal dollar spent, demonstrates its value in reducing both energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions. Its elimination would primarily benefit utility companies at the expense of working families.