CRS Report on ENERGY STAR Program
The Government Accountability Office report examined the ENERGY STAR Program. This program is a voluntary labeling system managed by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. Congress has interest in program funding, administration, and specifications for product categories.
ENERGY STAR Program Overview
ENERGY STAR is a voluntary labeling program for energy-efficient products and buildings. The program manages energy consumption reduction, cost savings for consumers, and emission reductions from power production. In 2020, participants conserved 520 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity and saved $42 billion on utility bills. EPA and DOE entered a memorandum of agreement on March 3, 2026, to transition management of ENERGY STAR from the EPA to the DOE. A transition plan was finalized by August 28, 2026, with completion by July 2027. Congressional interest involves program funding and decisions about the program’s specifications or incentives.
ENERGY STAR Program Expansion
The ENERGY STAR program expanded over time. It began with labels for computers and monitors in 1992. In 1995, the EPA added 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 for leased office spaces. Specifications for some lighting were sunsetted effective December 31, 2024.
ENERGY STAR Labeling Requirements
The EPA registered trademarks for ENERGY STAR. The label is placed on products and buildings that use less energy while performing at least as well as standard models. Since 2011, ENERGY STAR required products to be third-party certified and tested in an EPA laboratory. These laboratories conduct annual verification testing. DOE runs a separate testing program that targets specific products for testing. This targeting occurs if products have failed requirements or use new technologies. ENERGY STAR is an international standard for energy-efficient products.
ENERGY STAR Funding Trends
Between FY2007 and FY2011, combined appropriations for ENERGY STAR for EPA and DOE averaged $58 million annually in nominal dollars. The Environmental Protection Agency received about 87 percent of this funding. ENERGY STAR funding decreased in both inflation-adjusted and nominal dollars more recently. P.L. 119-4 set FY2025 appropriations at the same levels as FY2024 for most EPA and DOE accounts without new policy direction. P.L. 119-74 did not contain policy direction for DOE. It provided for EPA that at least $33,024,000 was to carry out the Energy Star Program.
The report, ENERGY STAR Program (IF10753), by Corrie E. Clark, Corrie E. Clark, is dated November 9, 2026. Read it on Congress.gov.