Energy Star Climate Change Claims Misleading, Audit Finds

WASHINGTON, DC (ENS) – A voluntary program promoted by the federal government to boost energy efficiency and cut greenhouse gas emissions does not work as advertised, according to a new audit by the Inspector General of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The Inspector General’s report on the federal Energy Star program concludes that many of the touted benefits could not be verified.

Energy Star is a 16 year old voluntary program administered by the Energy Department and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that covers more than 50 product categories such as lighting, home electronics, office equipment, and home heating and cooling.

The EPA Inspector General’s audit, released December 17, is the latest report finding that voluntary, market-based programs relied upon by the current administration and several states have poor track records and do not produce reliable results, says Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, PEER.

In 2006, for example, the program accounted for more than half of EPA’s claimed contributions to greenhouse gas reductions but the Inspector General debunked those claims.

“We found the Energy Star program’s reported savings claims were inaccurate and the reported annual savings unreliable,” states the IG report.

“Deficiencies included the lack of a quality review of the data collected; reliance on estimates, forecasting, and unverified third party reporting; and the potential inclusion of exported items,” the report explains.

ENS