DOE Removes 1,662 Energy-Saving Webpages as Trump Moves to Weaken Appliance Rules
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 15
DOE Removes 1,662 Energy-Saving Webpages as Trump Moves to Weaken Appliance Rules
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 15
Summary
At least 1,662 Department of Energy webpages had gone dark by July 3, including advice on staying cool, cutting power use and easing grid strain during heatwaves.
At least 18 pages disappeared within days of the administration's July 2 proposal to roll back energy-efficiency standards for air conditioners, heaters and other home appliances.
More than 300 deleted pages drew over 160,000 views in the prior 30 days, and DOE did not answer questions on when or why the pages were removed.
Advocates say updated standards would save households about $160 a year, lower peak summer demand and preserve a program that has reduced bills and grid stress since the 1970s.
The deletions fit a broader Trump deregulatory drive that already targeted 47 appliance-related rules and briefly sought to end the Energy Star program.
With federal energy advice gone, what are the hidden costs to families and the nation's power grid during record heatwaves?
As appliance standards are rolled back, what long-term price will consumers pay for short-term choice at the store?
U.S. Energy Efficiency Under Threat: Trump-Era Rollbacks, Project 2025, and the Fight for Climate and Consumer Protection
Overview
The Trump administration actively worked to roll back energy efficiency standards, targeting regulations for appliances and attempting to dismantle the Energy Star program. These efforts, led by the Department of Energy, aimed to reduce regulatory burdens but faced strong bipartisan opposition in Congress, ultimately blocking the removal of Energy Star. Critics argue that such rollbacks would increase costs for American consumers through higher fuel and utility bills. The debate highlights a tension between industry calls for regulatory stability and widespread public and political support for maintaining robust energy efficiency programs that benefit both households and the environment.