A BRIGHTER ENERGY STAR

Time to update the Energy Star program?
Tiffany Hsu, August 30, 2010 (LA Times)

"The voluntary [Energy Star system, used to rate products and retrofitted buildings for energy efficiency,]…uses relative instead of absolute ratings, comparing subjects to others in the same field, according to Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.).

"For example, consumers are told that a certain Energy Star-rated washing machine uses 30% less energy than a traditional appliance but aren’t informed just how much energy is used or how much money can be saved in energy bills, Maloney said…Energy Star ratings should be updated…"

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"…Empire State Building owner Anthony Malkin voiced concerns [to the congressional Joint Economic Committee, which Maloney chairs,] about the famed structure’s energy use being compared to smaller, less-high profile ones…The Empire State Building, which is undergoing a major energy-efficiency retrofit, uses the same amount of power as roughly 40,000 single-family homes, Maloney said…

"Out of about 5 million commercial buildings in the country, fewer than 10,000 have landed the Energy Star rating. Los Angeles had the most. More than 1 million residential homes have earned the rating."

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"But the program suffers from shaky credibility, Maloney said, referencing a test from the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The investigation found that Energy Star approval was granted for 15 of 20 bogus products, including a fictional gas-powered alarm clock."

[Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, whose agencies run the program:] “[We] have started an enhanced testing program and have already taken enforcement actions against companies that have violated the rules.”