A proposal from the Trump administration to reorganize the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) threatens key divisions, including Energy Star and climate change offices. The reorganization plan aims to streamline operations but has raised concerns among environmentalists and policymakers.
Energy Star, a program designed to help reduce energy costs by promoting energy-efficient appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers, was at risk during the first Trump administration. The program, which has helped American households save billions in energy costs, could face elimination under the new proposal.
Democratic Senator Ed Markey expressed concern, stating that the elimination of Energy Star would be harmful to American families and businesses. The program has been responsible for saving $500 billion in energy costs over the past 30 years. The reorganization could also disrupt other critical programs at the EPA, such as air pollution monitoring and efforts to help local governments improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin defended the proposed cuts, arguing that the restructuring would allow the agency to focus on its core mission of protecting human health and the environment. Zeldin emphasized the need for efficiency, citing the goal of saving $300 million a year by 2026 through reduced staffing and organizational changes. The restructuring also includes a new office to streamline air permitting and resolve concerns with state, local, and tribal agencies.
While the EPA’s main office focused on climate change would see significant cuts, the reorganization could go further in rolling back efforts to combat climate change than the first Trump administration. In 2025, the Trump administration fired scientists working on the National Climate Assessment and reduced funding for climate research.
The proposed cuts to the EPA’s climate change efforts raise concerns about the future of U.S. climate policies and the agency’s ability to monitor and respond to the growing impacts of climate change.
