ENERGY STAR Funding Fight Shifts to DOE
Owners and shoppers relying on ENERGY STAR-certified appliances should watch the fiscal 2027 appropriations for the program's next steps.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Should the federal government keep funding the ENERGY STAR energy-efficiency program?
The National Association of Manufacturers and more than three dozen business groups have urged congressional appropriators to fund ENERGY STAR for fiscal year 2027, directing the money to the Department of Energy. The push follows EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin's announced plan to move management of the voluntary efficiency program from the EPA to the DOE.
Why it matters
ENERGY STAR labels help households identify appliances and products that cut energy bills, so the funding and management fight affects how consistently those labels are maintained across the country. The coalition argues that efficiency lowers costs for families and businesses, which is why it is pressing Congress now as the transfer takes shape.
The coalition asked that not less than $33,024,000 be included in the Energy and Water Development bill for ENERGY STAR, matching the amount the House approved earlier this year. The program has been credited with more than $500 billion in energy cost savings since it began in 1992.
The players
National Association of Manufacturers
The nation's largest manufacturing trade group, representing producers of household appliances and other consumer goods that carry ENERGY STAR certification.
Lee Zeldin
EPA Administrator who announced the plan to move ENERGY STAR management from the EPA to the Department of Energy.
Department of Energy
Federal agency that will assume primary responsibility for implementing ENERGY STAR under the new agreement with the EPA.
The details
ENERGY STAR is a voluntary initiative that certifies energy-efficient consumer products, and under a memorandum of agreement between the EPA and DOE, the DOE will take primary responsibility for implementing it. The coalition, which includes the National Association of Manufacturers and more than three dozen business groups, asked Congress to align federal funding with the responsibilities the agencies have allocated. The request is framed as a public-private partnership effort tied to bipartisan energy affordability goals.
Timeline
1992: ENERGY STAR voluntary energy-efficiency initiative was created.
Earlier in 2026: The House approved the $33,024,000 ENERGY STAR funding language in its Interior and Environment appropriations bill.
Earlier in 2026: EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the plan to transfer ENERGY STAR management from the EPA to the DOE.
Fiscal year 2027: The coalition is urging Congress to fund ENERGY STAR in the upcoming appropriations cycle.
The Home Front
The fight over ENERGY STAR funding sits within a long-running federal effort, dating to 1992, to label efficient appliances for homeowners. The proposed shift from the EPA to the DOE would change which agency runs that labeling system, while the appropriations request sets the budget it operates on.
If you are shopping for appliances, look for the ENERGY STAR label as a quick way to compare efficiency, and keep product model numbers and receipts on file for future reference. Because the program's management is in transition, check the current ENERGY STAR listings before major purchases so you are working from the latest certified products.
The takeaway
ENERGY STAR has been credited with more than $500 billion in household and business energy savings since 1992, which is why the funding debate matters beyond Washington. Before buying appliances, check the ENERGY STAR label and note the model number so you can confirm certification later.
What happens next
The Energy and Water Development appropriations bill will determine whether the requested ENERGY STAR funding is included for fiscal year 2027.
Further reading
For background on how federal efficiency programs intersect with home and vehicle choices, see Electric Vehicles.
Live Poll
Should the federal government keep funding the ENERGY STAR energy-efficiency program?
