Appliance Suppliers Praise Transfer of 'Energy Star' Program to DOE

The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers endorses the shift from EPA oversight to the Department of Energy.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:09am

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A photorealistic studio still-life image of a sleek, modern appliance product placed on a clean, monochromatic background, using dramatic lighting to highlight the efficiency and innovation of ENERGY STAR-certified products.The transfer of ENERGY STAR oversight to the Department of Energy aims to leverage the agency's deep product expertise to drive continued innovation in energy-efficient home appliances.Washington Today

The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) has endorsed the Trump administration's decision to transfer full responsibility for the 'ENERGY STAR' program from the Environmental Protection Agency to the U.S. Department of Energy. AHAM believes the move will better align the program with the agency that has the deepest product expertise.

Why it matters

The ENERGY STAR program has been credited with saving billions in energy costs and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions by identifying energy-efficient, eco-friendly products. Critics argue that removing the EPA from the program undermines its environmental goals, while AHAM believes the DOE can continue delivering energy savings and supporting innovation across the appliance industry.

The details

The ENERGY STAR program, founded in 1992, had been run as a joint program between the EPA and DOE, with the EPA responsible for labeling/marketing and the DOE focused on technical specifications, standards and testing. The Trump administration has now transferred full responsibility for the program to the DOE as part of a broader deregulatory effort.

  • The transfer of oversight from the EPA to the DOE occurred in 2026.

The players

Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM)

The trade organization representing the nation's major appliance manufacturers.

Kelly Mariotti

President & CEO of AHAM.

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

The federal agency that will now have full responsibility for the ENERGY STAR program.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The federal agency that previously shared responsibility for the ENERGY STAR program with the DOE.

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What they’re saying

“For nearly a decade, AHAM has advocated for transferring the ENERGY STAR program to the DOE. We believe this move appropriately aligns the program with the agency that possesses the deepest product expertise.”

— Kelly Mariotti, President & CEO, Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers

What’s next

The DOE will now be responsible for managing all aspects of the ENERGY STAR program, including labeling, marketing, technical specifications, standards, and testing.

The takeaway

The transfer of the ENERGY STAR program from the EPA to the DOE is seen as a positive move by the appliance industry, which believes the DOE's deeper product expertise will allow the program to continue delivering energy savings and supporting innovation. However, critics argue that removing the EPA's oversight undermines the program's environmental goals.