More than 1,000 companies urge lawmakers to strengthen ENERGY STAR program

Led by the Alliance to Save Energy, more than 1,000 companies signed and sent a letter this week to Congress and the White House, calling for a stronger ENERGY STAR program, which the Trump Administration’s budget proposed eliminating.

“ENERGY STAR is a model for successful collaboration between the public and private sectors,” the letter said. “It enjoys a long track record of success and should be strengthened, not weakened, to ensure it continues providing these important benefits to the public while helping us meet our energy and environmental goals.”

The program costs about $50 million annually to administer and saves consumers over $34 billion each year in reduced energy costs. President George H.W. Bush, launched the program, which has more than 16,000 partner companies and organizations. Through ENERGY STAR, the Environmental Protection Agency certifies a variety of products as highly efficient.

Organizations and businesses from a variety of industries, including manufacturing, construction, energy, real estate and education signed the letter.

“Shutting down this program would hurt American businesses, consumers and our overall economy, and we strongly encourage the administration to reconsider the budget proposal,” Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, said. “This letter demonstrates the enormous business support for a venerable public-private partnership and sends a clear directive to Washington: keep the ENERGY STAR program going and growing.”