The Energy Star program, a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, has seen renewed emphasis by the Obama administration as a means of reducing the waste of energy and limiting greenhouse gas emissions. Under the federal stimulus bill, $300 million will go to rebates for consumers who buy Energy Star products. However, a recent internal audit performed by the DOE’s Inspector General found that the agency does not adequately track whether manufacturers that give their appliances an Energy Star label have met energy efficiency requirements. Another study, completed last year by the EPA, also found that ratings given to televisions and computers under the Energy Star program were “not accurate or verifiable” due to weak oversight.
The DOE only requires that manufacturers of windows and LED and fluorescent lighting have their products tested by certified independent laboratories. Other companies that make refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, water heaters, and room air conditioners, which consume far more energy, can certify those appliances themselves. Mark Connelly with Consumer Reports found that approximately 5-10% of all products that are self-certified do not meet Energy Star requirements. Although the Energy Star program saved an estimated $19 billion in energy costs in 2008, it is important that its requirements are rigorously enforced. Shortcomings could reduce consumer confidence in the program and could result in reduced energy savings, increased consumer risk, and diminish the value of the rebate program under the federal stimulus bill.
On September 30, 2009, the EPA and DOE signed a memorandum that committed both agencies to having all products evaluated by certified independent laboratories, and to expand the Energy Star program to cover products that were not in common use when it began in 1996. It also includes a super star program that identifies the top performing 5 percent of products. With these improvements, the Energy Star program could face continued success and further energy savings in the future.
-Sam Shelby
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It is disheartening to hear that the DOE is failing to monitor companies efficiency of their products. Do you think the memorandum will decrease the percentage of products that do not meet the efficiency standard? I agree with the reduction in confidence; the lose of consumer confidence would not be a good thing for the Energy Star program. Maybe they could redesign the program. Starting up a campaign to reestablish consumer confidence, after they increase the efficiency of self-regulated appliances.
ReplyDeleteI think, unfortunately, with what I've read about in the news lately, that the Energy Star program is being used to stimulate the economy, rather than increase widespread energy efficiency.
ReplyDeleteRemember cash for clunkers? There is talk of instating the program for appliances. http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/JustOneThing/cash-for-refrigerators-clunkers-type-rebate-for-appliances/story?id=8374739
While it may decrease the number of vastly inefficient appliances in homes across the country, its environmental effects are questionable with the program's recent shortfalls.
-Sam Shelby
ReplyDeleteI love that the energy star program is improving. I especially like that it will identify the top performing 5 percent of products. The EPA and EU recently just signed a Renew Agreement on International Energy Efficiency. The agreement was dealing specifically with office equipment. Specifically, the agreement made it mandatory to have energy star labels on all office equipment in European markets as well as on the items that the US imports such as computers, monitors, printers, copiers, fax machines, and scanners.
ReplyDeleteThese new restrictions should add up to save American households more than $4 billion over the next 5 years. The greenhouse gases that are going to be saved will equal out to be more than 6 million cars, with much more additional energy and environmental benefits possible in the EU. Both the EPA and the EU hopes that this agreement will push the market towards more energy efficient products.
However, why should there be more energy and environmental benefits in the EU than the US?