EPA Plans to Eliminate Energy Star Program Amid Major Reorganization

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to eliminate the Energy Star program, a widely recognized certification for energy-efficient home appliances, as part of a broader reorganization that also dissolves major climate and air quality divisions. Experts and advocates warn that ending Energy Star, which has saved consumers and businesses hundreds of billions in energy costs and significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions, could lead to higher utility bills and deprive consumers of vital efficiency information. The restructuring includes shutting down the Office of Atmospheric Protection and the Climate Change division, affecting programs that track greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Critics argue that dismantling these offices undermines environmental transparency, public health, and the ability to hold polluters accountable, while also risking setbacks in environmental science and innovation. The EPA claims the changes will improve organizational structure and better advance the agency’s mission, though many see the move as a significant rollback of federal climate oversight. The decision has drawn bipartisan concern, with manufacturers, trade groups, and politicians highlighting both the economic and environmental benefits at stake.