House Passes Deep Cuts to ENERGY STAR | Alliance to Save Energy

House Passes Deep Cuts to ENERGY STAR

The Alliance to Save Energy News

House Passes Deep Cuts to ENERGY STAR

Release Date: Thursday, September 14, 2017

WASHINGTON – The Alliance to Save Energy released the following statement from President Kateri Callahan in response to the U.S. House of Representatives passing an appropriations package (H.R. 3354) that includes an approximately 40 percent cut to the ENERGY STAR program:

"Let’s be clear: This would be a debilitating cut to one of the most popular federal programs in history. ENERGY STAR has been such a money-saver for consumers and businesses because the products deliver enormous energy savings, and we can trust the label. Now Congress is threatening the integrity of the program.”

“Taking an ax to ENERGY STAR would make it difficult if not impossible for the program to certify new energy-efficient products. This would not only hurt consumers but also the more than 16,000 companies and organizations that have invested valuable time and resources to make products that qualify for ENERGY STAR.”

“This bill is penny-wise, pound foolish. In pursuit of savings, it would stick consumers and businesses with inefficient products that cost us far more in the long run. Congress needs to fully fund ENERGY STAR and other federal energy efficiency programs.”

The House Appropriations Committee’s report on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill – one component of H.R. 3354 – calls for a roughly 40 percent cut to the EPA’s Energy Star program, lowering funding to $31 million.

ENERGY STAR was created in 1992 under President George H. W. Bush’s administration and has maintained strong bipartisan support for more than 25 years. More than 16,000 companies and other organizations participate. The program delivered $34 billion in savings to American households and businesses in 2015 alone. Almost half of all American households knowingly purchased an ENERGY STAR product from 2014-2015.

Due its success, ENERGY STAR has expanded from appliances and electronics to residential homes, commercial buildings and even manufacturing plants. Certified ENERGY STAR homes, commercial buildings and industrial plants have saved almost $13 billion in energy costs through the program.

ENERGY STAR by the numbers:

About the Alliance to Save Energy

Founded in 1977, the Alliance to Save Energy is the leading energy efficiency coalition in the nation – a nonprofit, bipartisan alliance of business, government, environmental and consumer leaders advocating for enhanced energy efficiency across all sectors of the economy. Our mission is to promote energy efficiency worldwide to achieve a healthier economy, a cleaner environment and energy security.

STAY EMPOWERED

 

TAKE ACTION

Help the Alliance advocate for policies to use energy more efficiently – supporting job creation, reduced emissions, and lower costs. Contact your member of Congress.

JOIN US

Energy efficiency is smart, nonpartisan, and practical. So are we. Our strength comes from an unparalleled group of Alliance Associates working collaboratively under the Alliance umbrella to pave the way for energy efficiency gains.

DONATE

The power of efficiency is in your hands. Supporting the Alliance means supporting a vision for using energy more productively to achieve economic growth, a cleaner environment, and greater energy security, affordability, and reliability.