Trump administration plans to shutter money-saving Energy Star program

Tech Crunch - May 7th, 2025
Open on Tech Crunch

The Trump administration is considering ending the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star program, a move that could significantly impact consumers who collectively save $40 billion annually in energy costs. The program, with a modest budget of $32 million, partners with appliance and electronics manufacturers to promote energy-efficient products and provides consumers with rebates to reduce purchase costs. Paula Glover, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, criticized the proposed cut, highlighting the program's 350-to-one return on investment and its potential to reduce household energy costs.

Energy Star, established in 1992 under President George H. W. Bush and reauthorized in 2005 under President George W. Bush, is a well-known initiative with its distinctive yellow labels on products across the U.S. This program helps consumers understand the energy efficiency of appliances and electronics, saving the average U.S. household about $450 annually on energy bills. Its elimination would contradict the administration's stated goal of reducing energy costs for Americans, raising concerns about the future of energy efficiency efforts and consumer savings in the U.S.

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RATING

7.0
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article effectively highlights the potential implications of the Trump administration's proposal to wind down the Energy Star program. It provides a clear and concise overview of the program's benefits and the opposition to its elimination, supported by credible sources like Paula Glover. However, the article could benefit from increased balance by including perspectives from those who support the administration's decision. Additionally, greater transparency regarding the sources of specific claims would enhance its reliability. Despite these areas for improvement, the article is timely, relevant, and engages with a topic of significant public interest, making it a valuable contribution to the discussion on energy efficiency and policy.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article presents several factual claims about the Energy Star program, many of which align with generally accepted information. For example, it accurately states that the program was established in 1992 under President George H. W. Bush and reauthorized in 2005 under President George W. Bush. It also correctly notes the program's role in certifying energy-efficient products and the presence of its labels on appliances. However, the claim about the program saving consumers $40 billion annually and the 350-to-one return on investment should be verified with official EPA data or authoritative studies. The mention of the Trump administration's intent to wind down the program is attributed to a CNN report, which should be cross-checked for accuracy.

7
Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of those opposed to the winding down of the Energy Star program, such as Paula Glover from the Alliance to Save Energy. It highlights the benefits of the program and the potential negative impact of its elimination. However, it lacks representation from those who might support the administration's decision or provide a rationale for the proposed changes. Including viewpoints from government officials or industry stakeholders who support the administration's proposal would provide a more balanced perspective.

8
Clarity

The article is clearly written, with a logical flow that introduces the Energy Star program, its benefits, and the potential impact of its elimination. The language is straightforward and accessible, making it easy for readers to understand the key points. However, it could improve clarity by providing more background on why the administration might want to wind down the program, as this would help readers fully grasp the implications.

6
Source quality

The article references a CNN report as the primary source for the claim about the Trump administration's intentions. While CNN is a reputable news outlet, relying on a single source for such a significant claim could be strengthened by including additional sources or official statements from the EPA or the administration. The article also quotes Paula Glover, providing a credible perspective from an industry expert, but further diversity in sourcing would enhance the article’s reliability.

6
Transparency

The article provides some context about the Energy Star program's history and its benefits, which aids transparency. However, it does not detail the methodology or sources of specific claims, such as the $40 billion savings or the 350-to-one return on investment. Greater transparency would involve clarifying the basis for these figures and any potential biases in the sources used, particularly regarding the administration's motives.

Sources

  1. https://www.edf.org/media/reports-say-trump-administration-will-end-popular-energy-star-program