I think it’s safe to say that no one likes to waste money. Our current presidential administration certainly agrees as this was the impetus for the DOGE initiative. But what I don’t understand is why cost savings are suddenly a bad thing when it comes to protecting the environment.
Under the restructuring of the Environmental Protection Agency, the organization is reportedly cutting the voluntary Energy Star program. Since its creation in 1992, Energy Star has saved more than $500 billion in energy costs.
For the past 20-plus years, facility managers in 330,000 buildings across the country have used the program's Portfolio Manager to track and benchmark energy use. These buildings represent nearly 35 billion square feet — the equivalent of about 25 percent of all commercial floor space nationwide.
“From HVAC systems to lighting, life safety equipment and manufacturing tools, Energy Star provides independent, trusted confirmation of quality and efficiency. Facility managers, building owners, and employers depend on this program to maintain healthy, sustainable workplaces that support core business functions,” said Michael V. Geary, President & CEO of IFMA, in a recent press release urging Congress to continue Energy Star.
The Energy Star program is a great return on investment. For every dollar EPA spends, businesses save nearly $350 in energy costs. Despite this, Energy Star is on the chopping block and it’s not clear why. The program was created under another Republican administration so it can’t simply be a party problem or targeting Biden-era initiatives.
While it’s true that sustainability, green, and climate resilience haven’t always been well received by the general public or even everyone in the facility management industry, saving money is always a crowd pleaser. Getting rid of Energy Star would make it harder to identify energy-saving (aka cost-saving) products. In its place would be countless self-promotional claims, ushering in a new era of greenwashing. Purchasers, including facility managers, would be required to do more research themselves — at the expense of valuable time — rather than allowing third-party experts to validate a product’s energy claims. (And let’s be honest — no one will spend the extra time).
As of this writing, Energy Star’s fate is uncertain, but it doesn’t look good. Hopefully, EPA and Congress come to their senses and save this important and proven program.
Dan Weltin is the Editor-in-Chief of the Facility Market for TPMG. He has more than 20 years of writing for the facility industry.
