Consumer and environment groups said that the Environmental Protection Agency plan to get rid of its energy stars offices will end a program that is old -consumers’ option to buy environment friendly refrigerators, dishwashers and other electronics and provide money on electrical bills.
The changes, shown in the agency’s documents reviewed by the Associated Press, are part ofWide reorganizationAt the Environmental Protection Agency that will eliminate or reorganize large parts of the office focus on air pollution. These plans are offered that President Donald Trump’s sharp advances on the previous administration’s focus on climate change.
The Environmental Protection Agency did not confirm that it was ending the program, which CNN reported for the first time on Tuesday, but said that reorganization “provides organizational improvements to the staff of employees who would directly benefit the American people and enhance the agency’s basic task better, while operating the great American return.”
In 1992, the Environmental Protection Agency launched the Energy Star with the aim of addressing environmental protection and economic growth. It enhances the energy -saving products and benefits market that designs devices that earn the label. The program site says that the home that decides to buy Energy Star products can save $ 450 annually on energy costs.
“People get to know it immediately, so they will be like” Oh, he is the energy star, so I may have to go with this, “said Francis Dietz, a spokesman for the Air Air Conditioning, Heating and Refunction Association.
Stephen Nadel, Executive Director of the American Council for an effective energy economy, said the program enjoyed party support until recently. He said he enhances efficiency by tightening standards when many products are able to meet the requirements of the brand.
Great savings in money and pollution
Since its inception, the program has reduced the energy costs of more than 500 billion dollars and prevented about 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions aimed at the planet, according to its website. The devices can be responsible for tons of air pollution, but can reduce carbon dioxide, methane, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and microscopic material materials that produce electricity versions in the atmosphere. These pollutants can harm the heart and lungs, and cause other health problems.
TrumpThe proposed budget is asking about the elimination of CongressThe entire atmosphere protection program at the Environmental Protection Agency, which includes offices that run the energy star. The budget described the program as “overcoming the governmental authority that imposes unnecessary and radical climate change regulations on companies and suffocate economic growth.”
But Sarah Gleson, director of climate solution research in withdrawing the non -profit project of the climate, said that the independence of energy in America depends on the ability to meet American energy requirements, and the program cut off this and supports families at the same time.
Gleeson said the Energy Star loss will make it difficult for consumers to obtain trustworthy information about the use of energy for products.
The name is voluntary, and it is ordered by Congress
Energy Star is a voluntary products that meet certain levels of efficiency, and differs from the standards of the Ministry of Energy that determine the minimum efficiency requirements that must meet products to be sold legally. In 2000s, Congress directed the Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Energy to operate the power efficiency program and enhance the energy star.
The Ministry of Energy did not comment on the changes and its role to move forward, which leads to the postponement of questions to the Environmental Protection Agency. According to the program’s website, the role of the Ministry of Energy includes developing product test procedures. The Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for determining performance levels and ensuring that consumers can rely on the poster.
The House of Home Appliance Manufacturers Association said it supports a simplified program in Energy Star program through the Ministry of Energy. “It will achieve the management goals of maintaining a full range of products that consumers can choose and reduce the unnecessary regulatory burden,” said Gil Notaini’s spokeswoman.
This step is the latest in the Trump administrationWide editing voltage. They have announced plans forSlash biden-heal policiesTo reduce greenhouse gas emissions, fossil fuel priority and energy dominance policy.
The President was especially keen to eliminate efficiency standards, on the pretext that it leads to products that cost more and less effective, and that they deny the choice of the consumer. TrumpReverse the rules that restrict the flow of waterFor shower heads and other home appliances.
The target energy star Trump is throughHis first period in the White HouseBut he faced a violent reaction.
“For an administration that continues to demand that the country is facing” energy emergency “, Trump continues to attack any efforts aimed at saving energy through efficiency,” said Kazavier Boaterett, Deputy Legislative Director for Clean Energy and Electricity in Sierra Club in a statement. “When we waste the energy through the ineffective devices, the fossil fuel industry uses it as an excuse to extract and sell more products to earn more money on the appearance of the American people.”
This story was originally shown on Fortune.com
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