Trump Admin Plans To Shut Down the Energy Star Program
- Reference: 0177354433
- News link: https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/25/05/06/2111247/trump-admin-plans-to-shut-down-the-energy-star-program
- Source link:
> The EPA hasn't said when this would go into effect and when consumers would stop seeing Energy Star certifications on home appliances. It's technically illegal for a presidential administration to end this program without Congress, but the same goes for many of Trump's pronouncements and executive orders.
"Eliminating the Energy Star program would directly contradict this administration's promise to reduce household energy costs," Paula Glover, president of the nonprofit coalition Alliance to Save Energy, [3]told CNN . "For just $32 million a year, Energy Star helps American families save over $40 billion in annual energy costs. That's a return of $350 for every federal dollar invested."
[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/05/06/energy-star-program-epa-trump/
[2] https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/trump-admin-announces-plans-to-shut-down-the-energy-star-program-184846271.html
[3] https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/06/climate/energy-star-trump
Re: (Score:2)
Most appliances don't have an option to disable such. Tell us, how are you disabling it on your refrigerator, washing machine, dishwasher, TV, video game console, and light bulbs?
Computers are about the only thing that allows easy disabling of such.
Re: (Score:1)
> Most appliances don't have an option to disable such. Tell us, how are you disabling it on your refrigerator, washing machine, dishwasher, TV, video game console, and light bulbs?
> Computers are about the only thing that allows easy disabling of such.
Washing machines would be one of the most trivial
The energy star rating is based on one specific set of cycle settings. Don't use that setting. Done.
Dishwashers are probably just as easy, run a normal cycle and not the energy star one.
Did AI write your post or was it just general MAGA ignorance?
Re: (Score:1)
> Most appliances don't have an option to disable such. Tell us, how are you disabling it on your refrigerator, washing machine, dishwasher, TV, video game console, and light bulbs?
> Computers are about the only thing that allows easy disabling of such.
You have never seen "eco mode" as an option on anything with...options?
Re: (Score:3)
That's not the only way ENERGY STAR is implemented. My chest freezer is compliant. It has no buttons. All you can do it plug it in. How do you turn off the ENERGY STAR functionality?
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If it has no options then it has no options, no argument here. Lots of things have options though, not just PCs. My dishwasher is compliant, and has buttons.
Re: (Score:1, Offtopic)
I know you're just trolling man, but I'll give you some air time because those child-sized toilets are a real annoyance to me too. Energy Star however, has never once caused me problems that couldn't be explained by basic user error, and trivial to overcome at that. I'm convinced that if it hadn't been government-mandated decades ago we'd be well on our way to commodity monitors burning 1000W with absolutely no gain in performance over current models, except possibly if you count extra radiation.
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Hey! I was on topic! Fuck you guys.
Re: (Score:3)
Skill issue, don't buy the cheapest commode at Home Depot and expect it to do the job of a real shitter's toilet.
[1]Toto Drake [totousa.com]
[1] https://www.totousa.com/products/toilets/drake
Re: (Score:2)
A quote from Toto's web site: "In fact, our Morrow, Ga. factory currently produces one-piece porcelain toilets at a lower cost than our best factory in China." I found a very interesting detailed production analysis that Toto published about their Georgia factory, while looking for general information on industrial porcelain. In the US, we have kaolin, feldspar, and natural gas, all on-continent.
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Who says we don't manufacture anything eh? I will proudly crap in my Georgia made, Japanese designed premium crap receptacle. Brings a tear to my every time.
Re: (Score:2)
Get a bidet. It will improve your life in a number of ways.
Re: (Score:2)
Bidets don't decrease the size of your shits, they just clean your ass. Want to reduce the size? Take more frequent poops.
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All the toilet clogs I've ever experienced were due to TP. Indeed the pillowy soft 4-ply is a complete no go with my toilets bidet or not. Of course I also take daily fiber supplements. Sounds like that would also improve the parent AC's life.
Re: (Score:2)
Water used or "wasted" from toilets is basically bullshit. A VERY VERY VERY tiny piece of the water usage pie. Want to know what's the largest piece? AGRICULTURE. They absolutely HATE to upgrade to more water conserving methods of farming, because it costs them lots of money. So yeah... if we really wanted to make an impact, we'd demand that changes...
Are there any that are not "Energy Star" (Score:1)
I don't remember seeing any that did not have that Certified sticker.
Re: (Score:3)
> I don't remember seeing any that did not have that Certified sticker.
That's good. It means that most appliance manufacturers were encouraged to get off their asses and design products that were at least somewhat more efficient.
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It wasn't just the symbol, to get the star you also have give the energy use numbers for the consumer as well so they can compare. It was a good idea, make them compete on something everyone benefits from.
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most appliances just add a dummy mode that is on by default and operates and way worse performance to game the system. ever see a friends TV that they didn't bother disabling the eco mode and it just super dark and you can't see things properly? also receivers often have a default "eco mode" that just throttles power and makes it perform badly when your speakers put on a demanding load. Its just gaming the system in a lot of cases and they're just bullshitting to get the rating.
Re: (Score:2)
It made it easy to compare energy usage of AC's, fridge's and other high consumption devices. It often did not go the way you'd expect either. Sometimes the more expensive unit was less efficient. Pity it will be sacked by the clown.
Re: Are there any that are not "Energy Star" (Score:2)
Well, um.
I don't think they should dismantle the program, but I recall when an audit investigation got an Energy-Star label for a "Gasoline-Powered Alarm Clock".
[1]https://gizmodo.com/a-fake-gas... [gizmodo.com]
Hope they've actually improved things since then.
[1] https://gizmodo.com/a-fake-gas-powered-alarm-clock-once-got-energy-star-cer-1656128986
Re: (Score:2)
Yeah it's linked in there that they passed some new rules, don't know if it worked for the case of how those got through, I am sure the GAO had recommended changes.
However I do like this story for the fact that audit was done by the GAO, which is and has been the actual "efficiency department" and this is a nice example of how it's supposed to work. Frankly I wish more rules and laws would go through a more openly iterative process like this.
Re: (Score:1)
I am skeptical but anyone but dedicated eco-people buy a toilet, or much of anything else, based on energy star rating.
Price
Looks
Features
Maybe a few other criteria. Energy star rating? Unless they're getting some govt "incentive", I bet 90% of people will not sacrifice price, looks or features for the sake of a better energy star rating.
Hell, if the colour they like is 500% less efficient than a colour they don't like, 99% or more are going to go for the colour they like.
Probably the same holds true if the
Just think! (Score:2)
Just think of all the money they'll save not having to print all those Energy Star stickers. Winning!
Re:An opportunity for a private certification (Score:4, Insightful)
> Do we need a government certification on efficiency? Could not some private entity develop their own certifications to take the place of Energy Star?
Yeah that firm will be owned by GE, Samsung, LG.
Re: (Score:2)
> Yeah that firm will be owned by GE, Samsung, LG.
Good Housekeeping, Consumer Reports, Underwriters Laboratory ...
Re:An opportunity for a private certification (Score:4, Insightful)
> Could not some private entity develop their own certifications to take the place of Energy Star?
Sure, they could. But why would they? Shit like that costs money. Businesses will NEVER spend money on something that doesn't directly increase the bottom line, unless it's government mandated.
> The point of Energy Star was to educate people on how more efficient appliances will save money long term even if there is a higher upfront cost.
The point of energy star was to force the manufacturers to compete based on energy efficiency, along with price and features, by forcing them to publish how expensive their equipment was to run.
> Not every problem needs a government solution.
Agreed. Also, not every problem will be solved by unadulterated capitalism.
> We don't need some federal government office to maintain this system, it will sustain itself now.
Mhm. I'm SURE companies will continue to use something like the energy guide stickers purely out of their desire to educate consumers on how awesome their products are. Not a chance those yellow tags with actual regulated and comparable numbers on them won't be replace by giant "Now costs 10,000% less to operate*" *when compared to an Abrams tank that has been modified to run on Chanel Number 5." type marketing bullshit.
A fair question (Score:2)
Not sure why the parent is modded "Troll"; it's the most substantive comment so far.
There are good examples of organizations that provide their seal of approval as an aid to consumer purchasing: UL, IIHS, OU.
It would have been nice if the administration proposed a "spinoff" of Energy Star instead of trying to kill it, but that's not their style.
Re: (Score:2)
What if there is greater profit to be had in selling you a crappy quality, crappy efficiency product?
What will his poor voters do? (Score:1)
With the dismantling of energy standards, poor people will have to pay even more for electricity. Perhaps this is a good way of extracting more money out of them. Perhaps, by increasing energy consumption, he can turn the "drill baby drill" fantasy into reality.
The only thing to remember is that he is a fucking moron and everyone working for him is a fucking moron. They only do this shit to distract the media. There is no rationale behind any of this nonsense.
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With the dismantling of energy standards, poor people will have to pay even more for electricity. mmmm Why?
What is the Budget for this operation? I saw the supposed return, but without knowing what it cost how do you think it over?
Re: (Score:3)
What the Energy Star program cost? Fuck's sake man, it's right in the summary: "For just $32 million a year, Energy Star helps American families save over $40 billion in annual energy costs. That's a return of $350 for every federal dollar invested." It's not like that statement had any ambiguity that you could be confused as to what information it was trying to construe.
Re: (Score:1)
> "For just $32 million a year, Energy Star helps American families save over $40 billion in annual energy costs."
So when the program ends, manufacturers will dig out their early 1990's appliance designs and energy use will sky rocket?
Or will manufacturers simply keep making the same energy-efficient appliances they have been for the last few years?
I suspect they will not revert to the 30 year-old designs...
Re: (Score:2)
> I suspect they will not revert to the 30 year-old designs
No shit.
> Or will manufacturers simply keep making the same energy-efficient appliances they have been for the last few years?
Of course they will. Then the next model will be some small percentage cheaper to build because energy efficiency is no longer a priority. And since the average idiot (myself included) doesn't have the foggiest clue what the annual energy savings of a 20 SEER AC unit vs a 14 SEER unit, and all they will see (since the manufacturers aren't going to put the energy guide stickers on there anymore) is that the 20 SEER unit is $X more expensive, they are going to pick the less energy efficiency one. Gi
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> So when the program ends, manufacturers will dig out their early 1990's appliance designs and energy use will sky rocket?
Yes if it will save them 10 cents on an air conditioner.
Re: (Score:2)
I missed that and that is on me. I still think the program should be ended.
Re:What will his poor voters do? (Score:4, Insightful)
> There is no rationale behind any of this nonsense.
Sure there is. Trump has a well documented hard-on for low-flow shower heads for some fuckin reason. And if I were to make an educated guess based on his physique and known diet? He's probably blown up toilet a time or two and assumed the problem was with the energy-star guidance on water usage.
I can explain this (Score:1)
So if you live in apartments then a few years ago you were forced to switch to a low flow shower head.
They suck. A lot. You barely get any water out of them. It takes two or three times as long to take a simple freaking shower because there's so little water coming out. I've been stuck in apartments because of one thing after another, I replaced the low flow shower head but there's plenty of people who either can't do that or it doesn't occur to them.
Low Flow shower heads are a pretty major inconven
Re: (Score:2)
> With the dismantling of energy standards, poor people will have to pay even more for electricity.
Why will the elimination of the Energy Star program make electricity more expensive? Will it make their appliances less efficient?
Energy Star started in 1992, haven't consumers been educated about what to look for when buying appliances?
Re: (Score:2)
Noting also that Energy Star came into place under Bush (GHW).
Because national security (Score:1)
Sorry sir, but that tattoo looks like an Energy Star symbol. We shall now assist you into the unmarked black van.
Companies will still use it (Score:2)
This is the same with car companies and more fuel efficient cars. President Turd tried to get car companies to abandon fuel efficiency efforts. But it turns out that consumers still want it regardless of want some orange turd says. So companies will continue making more efficient utilities.
New plan ... problem solved. (Score:2)
Switch to Elon's method on X where people just pay for the Energy Star rating they want.
People can buy the appliances that they choose. (Score:2)
Energy Star is great, but it does not actually save anyone money. It lets you know if you are buying an efficient appliance. Efficiency is nice when I am buying an appliance, but honestly efficiency is not what I am ever shopping for when I buy an appliance. I want the best unit that I can afford, efficient or not.
Hate say I we told you so... (Score:2)
"Eliminating the Energy Star program would
directly contradict this administration's promise to
reduce household energy costs"
How do you tell when a MAGAt is lying? You know because its mouth is moving. Or at anyone with even a porous bullshit filter does. I can quantify what MAGA's bullshit has cost me just by opening up Quicken. I know Quicken can be something oi a beast. But do none of those people monitor their 401ks and IRAs? I'm starting to think half the country isn't even competent t
What is the purpose of Government? (Score:5, Interesting)
You have to start wondering if Trump even knows what the purpose of government is for?
Trump's administration promises reduced energy costs yet tries to kill a program that directly reduces energy costs. You have to wonder what behind closed doors was discussed that prompted this line of action. Who got in his ear and what agenda was behind it.
OR
Was it that he just didn't like the stickers on appliances?
Re:What is the purpose of Government? (Score:5, Insightful)
1) break government
2) privatize what's left
3) profit
that's really it. they have zero care (the R party) for regular non-billionaire people. regular people need government. ultra rich are the ones who pay government to make laws that favor them.
I guess its not clear to everyone so it will be stated again: the R party is the robber baron party and they are not here to HELP anyone but themselves.
Re: (Score:3)
> 1) break government
> 2) privatize what's left
> 3) profit
> that's really it. they have zero care (the R party) for regular non-billionaire people. regular people need government. ultra rich are the ones who pay government to make laws that favor them.
> I guess its not clear to everyone so it will be stated again: the R party is the robber baron party and they are not here to HELP anyone but themselves.
That is exactly his plan [1]for Medicare [marketwatch.com]. He wants to force everyone into a private scheme so they pay more for less. In addition, the government will shell out nearly $2 trillion over a decade to private industry which is far more than it pays now.
[1] https://www.marketwatch.com/story/trumps-push-to-privatize-medicare-would-be-a-disaster-for-taxpayers-especially-seniors-b9cb8a69?mod=home_ln
Re: (Score:3)
Here is a suitably infuriating article linked from the above, and accessible without subscription [1]Dr. Oz and the plot against Medicare [truthdig.com]. A relative warned me about Medicare Advantage after specific experience. My suspicion meter was already pegged by the relentless stream of advertising that I have received.
[1] https://www.truthdig.com/articles/dr-oz-and-the-plot-against-medicare/
Re: (Score:3)
This article about his coin kind of says it all. [1]https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/0... [cnbc.com] 58 "winners", and 764,000 losers.
[1] https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/06/trump-meme-coin-crypto.html
Re:What is the purpose of Government? (Score:5, Insightful)
Ever since the Newt Gingrich era and the launch of Fox, the rise of Limbaugh the political project of the Republican Party has been to dismantle the government. Some of it's for money, some for power and for most it's just a dislike of liberals. I don't think they are even sure why anymore, just action for actions sake.
They've been oppositional and so so mad for so long that they have no actual beliefs left. It's not freedom, it's not the Constitution, it's not a good economy, it's not free markets, it's not free speech, it's not being fiscal, it's not even socially conservative. What do they believe? I can't believe what they say because they keep supporting the opposites of all those!
The contract with America (Score:3)
That's what newt Gingrich called it. It was a plan to obstruct anything that was positive for the American people so that the American people would blame government for their problems. A form of economic terrorism. You can pretty easily find the Republicans talking about this, or you used to be able to honestly they've taken so much control of the media I'm not so sure that's true anymore. The little googling of the phrase contract with America and newt Gingrich and you'll find it.
The Republican party h
Re: (Score:3)
If there's a possible silver lining to this whole shitshow it's that the GOP as we've known it since Reagan could implode. They've put all their chips on Trump and if this does fail they have nobody left. His son's can't do it, JD can't do it. Musk can't do it even if they weasled him into eligibility. Nobody in the cabinet can do it. I was worried Ramaswamy would be the guy to carry it on but no worries there, he got the cut in classic fashion.
Nobodies got the juice, without Trump they are juiceless.
Th
Re: What is the purpose of Government? (Score:2)
They only believe in their own wallets and by making the government powerless they can get away with activities that on paper is illegal.
Basically just make the US a banana republic.
Re:What is the purpose of Government? (Score:4, Informative)
The purpose of government is to enrich Trump and Elon musk and Peter thiel. There is no other purpose of government.
All other purposes went straight out the window when we elected a child rapist who steals classified documents to be president a second time.
He didn't even lie to us this time. He told us he was going to do a nasty trade war it's just 77 million Americans were too lazy and stupid to figure out what that meant and 7 million Americans were just flat out denied the right to vote for Kamala Harris.
Re: (Score:2, Flamebait)
Can't appliance manufacturers make energy-efficient appliances without a government program?
It is possible that after all these years consumers have been educated in how to select energy-efficient appliances, isn't it?
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
> Can't appliance manufacturers make energy-efficient appliances without a government program?
> It is possible that after all these years consumers have been educated in how to select energy-efficient appliances, isn't it?
And... who's going to verify/certify/ensure that those appliances are actually as energy efficient as claimed? Especially w/o getting into the Xkcd "now we have 15 standards" thing ...
From [1]ENERGY STAR Certification [energystar.gov]:
> ENERGY STAR Certification
> The energy performance behind every ENERGY STAR label is independently verified, whether on a product, a home, a building, or a manufacturing plant. By safeguarding the integrity of ENERGY STAR, EPA can support the thriving private market that has been built around its performance-based definitions of leadership in energy efficiency. Learn more about how EPA works to ensure that consumers and businesses can trust the ENERGY STAR label.
> How Products Earn the ENERGY STAR
> To earn the ENERGY STAR label for products, manufacturers are required to sign a formal agreement with EPA and products must be third-party certified against strict performance requirements. Third-party certification ensures products are properly tested and reviewed prior to being labeled. It also eliminates the competitive advantage associated with possible cheating and preserves the label’s value in the marketplace.
[1] https://www.energystar.gov/about/how-energy-star-works/energy-star-certification
Re: (Score:2)
> And... who's going to verify/certify/ensure that those appliances are actually as energy efficient as claimed?
Consumer Reports?
Who says they are the only candidate? The government has the NHTSA, while the private sector has the more rigorous IIHS. UL has done this kind
Speaking of UL... you realize that they are one of those who does the testing under the EngeryStar program, right? ex: [1]https://www.ul.com/services/en... [ul.com]
If the program goes away tomorrow, no doubt they'd simply close their doors and never test
[1] https://www.ul.com/services/energy-efficiency-testing-and-certification
Re: (Score:3)
I believe that this falls into the same category as eliminating paper straws and disencouraging EV's.
His wealthy oil donors need a market for the oil that they want to "drill baby drill".
I think the general gist is to create an environment that needs more fossil fuels to create a market for his mates.
Re: (Score:2)
Trump is actually a hippy :
[1]Live for today, forget about tomorrow. [youtube.com]
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKvxZyM5QdA