Dive Brief:
-
Transition of Energy Star Program: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a plan on August 28, transitioning leadership of the Energy Star program to the DOE. The co-leads of this initiative will meet bi-weekly for the next three months and monthly thereafter.
-
Organizational Framework: The transition is structured into three workstreams: knowledge transfer, legal transfer, and data/systems transfer.
-
Financial Commitment: The plan reassures industry stakeholders of the agencies’ commitment to proper funding and staffing for the program. There are concerns about previous budget cuts proposed during the Trump administration.
Dive Insight:
The Energy Star program, initially led by the EPA since the early 1990s, faced potential elimination during the Trump administration but was funded at $33 million by Congress. The transition plan underscores the need for financial stability for the program’s long-term success, with agencies detailing processes for fund transfers between EPA and DOE.
Stakeholders, like the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), advocate for smooth appropriation processes during the transition, emphasizing the importance of continued funding at authorized levels.
The DOE is seen as well-equipped to manage the program, thanks in part to its successful Better Buildings Initiative, demonstrating effective public-private partnerships. While the DOE is poised to leverage its existing relationships, there remains uncertainty about whether it can match the outreach effectiveness achieved by EPA, which has built strong community engagements.
The staffing plan aims to address potential gaps as the program moves under DOE’s oversight, with a focus on necessary recruitment for essential functions to support its ongoing success.
