Codes + Standards, Legislation + Regulation

ENERGY STAR Re-Funded To $33 Million

David Shiller February 2, 2026

On January 23, 2026, President Trump signed a bipartisan fiscal 2026 funding bill (H.R. 6938) into law that secures roughly $33 million for the EPA’s ENERGY STAR program, ensuring its operation despite earlier efforts by the administration to eliminate it. The funding level remains relatively flat, providing a key reprieve for the efficiency program.

Funding Details: The package mandates at least $33 million for Energy Star through September 30, 2026, a slight increase over the $32 million in FY2024.
Political Context: This action represents a defeat to the White House, as Congress rejected initial attempts to zero out the program.
Program Status: Despite threats of elimination in 2025, the program continues to operate, though efficiency experts have noted concerns about large staff departures from ENERGY STAR last year.
Wider Package: The bill funds the EPA with $8.8 billion.

More information is available here and here.

David Shiller

David Shiller is the Publisher of LightNOW, and Senior Business Development Consultant at Capacity Consulting, a North American consulting firm providing business development services to advanced lighting manufacturers. The ALA awarded David the Pillar of the Industry Award. David has been co-chair of the ALA’s Engineering Committee since 2010. David established MaxLite’s OEM component sales into a multi-million dollar division. He invented GU24 lamps while leading ENERGY STAR lighting programs for the US EPA. David has been published in leading lighting publications, including LD+A, enLIGHTenment Magazine, LEDs Magazine, and more.

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