§6294a Energy Star Program

Summary

Creates a voluntary Energy Star program run by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency to identify and promote products and buildings that save energy, boost energy security, and cut pollution using labels or other notices. The two agencies split up the work by agreement. The EPA Administrator and the DOE Secretary must push Energy Star technologies as the preferred way to save energy and reduce pollution, raise public awareness (with special outreach to small businesses), protect the trustworthiness of the label, and regularly update product rules. They must get public comments before making or changing product categories, specifications, or effective dates, explain any changes and reply to comments, and give at least 270 days’ notice (unless they set a different time) before a new or major change takes effect so manufacturers and sellers can prepare. The Secretary must set new qualifying levels by January 1, 2006 for clothes washers and dishwashers (effective January 1, 2007) and by January 1, 2008 for clothes washers (effective July 1, 2009).