Congress Considers Future of ENERGY STAR as DOE Transition Begins

For more than three decades, the ENERGY STAR program has served as one of the federal government’s most recognizable energy-efficiency initiatives, helping consumers and businesses identify products and buildings that meet established energy performance standards. Now, as the Trump Administration moves to transfer management of the program from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the Department of Energy (DOE), Congress is considering how the program will be funded and administered in FY27 and beyond.  

The Administration’s proposed restructuring comes amid broader efforts to reorganize federal energy and environmental programs. While the future location of ENERGY STAR within the federal government has generated discussion among policymakers and stakeholders, both the Administration and Congress have signaled continued support for the program’s core mission of promoting energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption. 

In March 2026, EPA and DOE signed a Memorandum of Agreement formally establishing DOE as the lead federal agency for the ENERGY STAR program. The agreement outlines an orderly transition of program management responsibilities, including partnership agreements, information technology systems, databases, and other administrative functions that have historically been managed by the EPA. The transition reflects authority provided under federal law, which established ENERGY STAR as a joint DOE-EPA initiative focused on promoting energy-efficient products and buildings. 

The move places ENERGY STAR within DOE’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation, where supporters argue the program can benefit from closer alignment with the department’s broader energy-efficiency and technology portfolios. At the same time, stakeholders have emphasized the importance of maintaining continuity throughout the transition, ensuring the manufacturers, building owners, utilities, and consumers continue to rely on the program’s certifications and technical resources without disruption.  

Congress is now examining the program’s future as part of the FY27 appropriations process. The House Appropriations Committee proposed approximately $33 million for ENERGY STAR, matching stakeholder requests to maintain the program’s current funding level. Notably, the House proposal continues funding the program through EPA while lawmakers evaluate the broader transition to DOE. The Senate has not yet released its FY27 appropriations legislation, leaving several questions regarding long-term funding and administrative oversight unresolved. 

The funding proposal comes as supporters continue to highlight the program’s impact. According to stakeholder estimates, ENERGY STAR generates more than $35 billion in annual savings for consumers and businesses and delivers approximately $900 in savings for every federal dollar invested in the program. Those figures have helped make ENERGY STAR one of the most widely recognized voluntary certification programs in the United States, with participation spanning residential, commercial, industrial, and public-sector applications.