Lawmakers band together to save Star on appliances
The emblem has been around since 1992 and lets consumers know their new appliance is energy-efficient, could save them money on energy bills, and could also come with a rebate. According to the Associated Press, the Environmental Protection Agency, under the Trump Administration, plans to eliminate the Energy Star program.
The proposed program cut is part of the EPA's reorganization. EPA has not confirmed when the program would end or what new guidelines might replace it.
Trump's proposed budget asks that Congress eliminate the EPA's entire Atmospheric Protection Program, which houses the offices that run Energy Star. The budget described the program as 'an overreach of Government authority that imposes unnecessary and radical climate change regulations on businesses and stifles economic growth,' the Associated Press reported.
U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) joined colleagues in Congress in writing a letter to the Trump Administration asking him to reverse course on ending the program.
In their letter, the senators highlighted the cost-saving benefits of the program, which is projected to save the average American household $450 on utility bills each year simply by choosing ENERGY STAR-certified products.
Fetterman and his colleagues said that the Energy Star program is the epitome of an 'effective public-private partnership.' EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said during a hearing that the Energy Star program is an example of one that can be run outside of the government.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
16 minutes ago
- The Hill
National Guard vehicle, car collide in DC
A National Guard vehicle collided with a civilian car early Wednesday morning approximately a mile away from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. The D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department said in a statement that the crash occurred at the intersection of 8th Street SE and North Carolina Avenue SE. The civilian driver was trapped in the car, rescued and transported to a local hospital with minor injuries, the statement said. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said officers responded to reports of the crash at 6:18 a.m. EDT and 'upon arrival officers discovered a two-car accident involving a government vehicle.' The driver was 'conscious and breathing' when taken to the hospital for 'non-life-threatening injuries,' MPD said. The military vehicle was a D.C. National Guard Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle and was part of a five-vehicle convoy and an MPD cruiser, the National Guard said in a statement reported by local news outlets. The National Guard is investigating the incident, the statement said. Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) was asked about the incident at a press conference later Wednesday and said, 'I actually haven't gotten a readout on that collision yet, other than I know we had a person, I believe one person transported for medical attention. So I can't really say more,' NewsNation reported. The incident comes after President Trump ordered hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., in an effort to crack down on crime in the nation's capital. Several Republican governors have joined his effort, bringing the total number of troops in the city to nearly 2,000.
The Hill
16 minutes ago
- The Hill
Washington must lead as AI reshapes the world
Artificial intelligence isn't just changing how we work but how we live. As a surgeon, I have seen how AI tools can reduce diagnostic errors, streamline paperwork and free me to spend more time with patients. It doesn't replace me — it makes me better at my job. In many ways, it lets me be more human. From agriculture to education, logistics to climate response, AI is already solving real problems. But the disruption is real, too — job losses, confusion and rising public distrust. Without direction, AI could deepen inequality, concentrate power and erode trust in democratic institutions. With the right leadership, it could do the opposite. This moment demands more than regulation. It needs vision — strategic, inclusive and grounded in shared democratic values. And that's where Washington comes in. I grew up in India, trained in Britain and now live and teach in Canada. Across continents, I have seen how new technologies can lift societies — or leave people behind. When the internet and personal computers emerged, many feared mass unemployment. There was disruption, yes, but also new industries, jobs and hope. AI holds similar potential — if we prepare wisely. The job losses AI is causing aren't speculative — they're already here. But they don't have to become casualties of progress. We can act now by funding real retraining, preparing people for future work and ensuring that AI's benefits reach beyond boardrooms to classrooms, clinics and communities. A practical step forward could be launching an 'AI impact initiative' — a public-private partnership that deploys vetted tools into real-world settings. Used wisely, AI can ease workloads, reduce burnout and free up time for what matters most — improving both productivity and quality of life. Globally, Washington could convene a 'democratic tech compact,' bringing together like-minded nations to align on trusted AI standards, open-data protocols and safeguards — offering a responsible counterweight to authoritarian AI models. AI, done right, could revive the middle class, restoring dignity to work, expanding access to services and letting people focus on what matters. It could also help us respond to crises, from pandemics to wildfires, with more speed and less chaos. But it won't happen through fragmented legislation. Washington must lead — by uniting democratic allies, industry, civil society and those working with AI every day. This coalition could build something lasting: shared principles like transparency, fairness and accountability. Shared tools — open datasets, regional innovation hubs and incentives for responsible development. A blueprint for the kind of world we want AI to help build. Imagine if companies were recognized not just for breakthroughs, but for building systems that reduce burnout, stabilize supply chains and support everyday workers. That's not science fiction. That's a policy choice. Some early steps are promising. Congress is exploring bipartisan legislation on AI research and deepfakes. But what's missing is a coordinated roadmap — one that drives innovation, protects economic stability and brings democratic partners together to shape a future where technology strengthens, rather than destabilizes, our institutions. If the U.S. doesn't lead, others will. Authoritarian regimes are already using AI — not to serve people, but to surveil and control them. When Vladimir Putin said in 2017, 'Whoever leads in AI will rule the world,' he was telling the truth. I don't write this as an American. But like many around the world, I have seen how U.S. leadership can set the tone — not through dominance, but by offering direction rooted in freedom, fairness and trust. And AI desperately needs that guidance. In medicine, we don't let even the most gifted surgical trainees operate solo on day one — not because they lack potential, but because safety depends on oversight and structure. AI demands the same — not suppression, but stewardship. We've been here before, on the edge of revolutions we didn't fully understand. This time, we can be more prepared. We can build the foundation for a future where innovation and human dignity grow together. The decisions made today won't just shape AI. They will shape the kind of world we live in, and the one we leave behind. And because Washington holds unmatched influence — economic, military and technological — its leadership matters more than ever. Not to dominate the future, but to help humanity rise with it. Dr. Debakant Jena is an orthopedic surgeon, an assistant professor at the University of Calgary and a first-generation immigrant to Canada. He has written extensively on Canadian policy, immigration and international relations.
Miami Herald
16 minutes ago
- Miami Herald
New eGates at U.S. airports promise faster screening under Trump's ‘vision'
As part of efforts to 'deliver on President Trump's vision' for travel security in the United States, several airports will soon introduce new technology to verify passenger information. In an announcement Tuesday, the Transportation Security Administration said the change is intended to 'enhance traveler experience.' For now, only a handful of airports will incorporate the technology, which stems from a new TSA public-private partnership, according to the agency. TSA checkpoints are beginning to incorporate new electronic gates to help expedite identity verification at select airports. 'The eGates allow TSA to automatically compare traveler biometrics with their identity document and boarding pass without the need for a human operator, enhancing efficiency and security. CLEAR, a private company operating under TSA's Registered Traveler Program, is piloting these specific eGates in coordination with TSA at no cost to U.S. taxpayers,' the agency said. MORE: Flying soon? U.S. Customs adds surprise checks while speeding process The pilot program is being carried out by CLEAR in coordination with the agency. According to TSA, the initiative does not involve cost to U.S. taxpayers. TSA Acting Deputy Administrator Adam Stahl said: 'eGates accomplish several objectives toward achieving Secretary Noem's goal to enhance TSA security and hospitality.' Kristi Noem is U.S. secretary of Homeland Security. 'This includes creating a seamless, less invasive traveler experience and shorter wait times at TSA security checkpoints. We look forward to rolling out additional eGate systems as we work to implement President Trump's vision for a new Golden Age of American Travel,' Stahl added. The CLEAR eGates made their debut at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. According to TSA, the technology is also expected to be installed later in August at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. According to FOX, the new system in Atlanta is currently available to members enrolled in the CLEAR+ pilot program, who can use dedicated CLEAR lanes at certain TSA checkpoints to bypass traditional processes. The eGates use biometric software to compare a traveler's face with their identity document and boarding pass. Once the traveler's identity and authorization are confirmed, they move directly to the physical screening stage without interacting with TSA staff. The technology arrives as the U.S. anticipates a surge in international travel, with millions of visitors expected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, the eGates won't be available to everyone. CLEAR+ membership costs $209 per year per traveler, although the company also offers discounted family plans. MORE: Traveler from Cuba stopped at airport after shocking find in bottle Another policy celebrated by the Trump administration as part of the so-called 'Golden Age of American Travel' is the end of the TSA shoe-removal requirement for domestic flights, a measure in place for nearly 20 years. Recently, TSA clarified that passengers may still be asked to remove their shoes if an alarm is triggered during screening. In July, TSA also highlighted Trump administration policies aimed at eliminating redundant passenger checks for international flights. That program is in its early stages and currently involves only major U.S. airlines American Airlines and Delta, which partnered with TSA to pilot the new protocol from London's Heathrow International Airport.
