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1 [1] (May 6, 2025)

handle is hein.crs/engystrpgm0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Research Service lnforrning the legislative debate since 1914 Updated May 6, 2025 ENERGY STAR Program Overview ENERGY STAR@ is an internationally recognized voluntary labeling program for energy-efficient products, homes, buildings, and manufacturing plants that is managed jointly by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The intended purposes of the program are to reduce energy consumption, realize cost savings for consumers on their utility bills, and reduce emissions of pollutants-including greenhouse gases (GHGs)-from electric power production, thereby limiting associated health and environmental impacts through nonregulatory means. According to EPA, in 2020 the program conserved 520 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, saved consumers $42 billion on annual utility bills, and avoided 400 million metric tons of GHGs. EPA reportedly plans to eliminate the program as part of an agency reorganization. Congressional interest in ENERGY STAR may include program funding, the consideration or revision of ENERGY STAR specifications for selected product or building categories, use of the ENERGY STAR label in federal procurement preferences, and whether to continue, cancel, or amend the program or incentives for selected products or buildings with the ENERGY STAR label. History and Devlopment EPA established ENERGY STAR in 1992 under the authority of the Clean Air Act, Section 103(g). In 1996, DOE's role with ENERGY STAR was established through a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) with EPA. Congress codified the program and this relationship in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-58, §131). The most recent memorandum of understanding (MOU) between EPA and DOE identifies EPA as the lead agency for ENERGY STAR, and DOE as the lead agency for the National Building Rating program. Generally, EPA sets performance levels for ENERGY STAR products and buildings, and DOE provides technical support, including the development of testing procedures and metrics for performance and program monitoring. The ENERGY STAR program portfolio has expanded over time. EPA introduced the ENERGY STAR label for computers and monitors in 1992. Since that time, EPA has expanded the number of product categories to more than 70. In 1995, EPA expanded ENERGY STAR to include labeling for buildings and new homes. The program added manufacturing facilities in 2006 and manufactured homes in 2007. In 2020, ENERGY STAR launched Tenant Space to recognize energy efficiency in leased office spaces. Due to historical efficiency gains for lighting, EPA has sunset specifications for lamps and luminaires (with exceptions for recessed downlights) effective December 31, 2024. Certain actions of note in ENERGY STAR history are highlighted in Table 1. Table I. Chronology of Selected Actions Related to the ENERGY STAR Program Timeline Action 1992 1995 1996 2001 2001 2005 2006 2009 2010 2011 2013 2015 2018 2020 2023 2024 EPA establishes ENERGY STAR under the authority of the Clean Air Act, Section 103(g) (P.L. 101-549) United States and Japan establish first international agreement for ENERGY STAR regarding qualified office products (e.g., computers and monitors) EPA and DOE issue MOC on Energy Efficient, Environmentally Beneficial Buildings United States and Canada agree to partner on ENERGY STAR United States and European Union (EU) agree to partner on ENERGY STAR Energy Policy Act, Section 131 (P.L. 109-58), formally codifies the ENERGY STAR program within EPA and DOE United States and EU enter into agreement on the Coordination of Energy-Efficient Labelling Programs for Office Equipment EPA and DOE issue MOU on Improving the Energy Efficiency of Products and Buildings GAO-10-470, Energy Star Program: Covert Testing Shows the Energy Star Program Certification Process Is Vulnerable to Fraud and Abuse GAO-1 1 -888, Energy Star: Providing Opportunities for Additional Review of EPA's Decisions Could Strengthen the Program Update of U.S.-EU ENERGY STAR agreement Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2015, Section 104 (P.L. 114-1I), directs EPA and DOE to establish a program to promote energy efficiency in spaces leased by tenants U.S.-EU ENERGY STAR agreement expires on February 20, 2018 EPA launches ENERGY STAR Tenant Space EPA launches ENERGY STAR NextGen Certified Homes and Apartments certification EPA sunsets the ENERGY STAR specifications for lamps and luminaires Source: P.L. 101-549; P.L. 109-58; P.L. 114-1I; EPA 2012, ENERGY STAR: Celebrating 20 Years; GAO-10-470; GAO-1 1 -888; MOU (2009); MOC (1996); Agreements between United States and EU. Notes: MOC = memorandum of cooperation; MOU = memorandum of understanding. ,ittps://crsreports~congress~gov

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