This week, our group discussed the value and effectiveness of the EPA’s Energy Star eco-label. The label provides a clear and widely recognized message, aiding consumers in making cost-effective and environmentally friendly purchases in product categories such as appliances, electronics, and lighting and fans, and has become one of the most widely recognized eco-labels in the United States. However, all of this could very well disappear as it was reported by the Los Angeles Times in late April of 2017 that the Trump administration intends to kill the program in its quest to cut back on government efforts to fight climate change. The administration claims that eliminating the eco-label program will cut down on taxes and can be replaced by a privatization scheme in which the industry self-polices and regulates the products entering the market. While Energy Star does cost $60 million annually to taxpayers, it has also allowed consumers and businesses to cut energy bills by more than $30 billion per year and has prevented 2.8 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Energy Star has been a pillar of the federal government to fight climate change and its elimination can put Energy Star into the hands of the private sector.
What are the potential ramifications of Trump eliminating the Energy Star program? Would this move actually benefit businesses, or could it cause more harm than good? Do you think Trump’s push to defund the program is motivated more by corporate interests or as a means of cutting taxes? Do you think government has a role in managing the energy efficiency of businesses?
Group: Allison Wolhart, Andrea Mahieu, Brisa Aviles, Corey Ly, and Kalei Aricayos
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