ENERGY STAR® Moving from EPA to DOE

On March 3, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) released a joint Memorandum of Agreement that sets in motion the development of a plan to transfer management of the ENERGY STAR program to DOE.

As expected, the announcement raised concerns in the user community, especially after there were discussions to defund the program last year.  As a matter of fact, during regular visits to Capitol Hill, BOMA fielded questions from congressional staff who were also curious or concerned about the move.   

Our message to congressional staff was the same message BOMA has voiced for the past two decades: BOMA International strongly supports the Energy Star program, and its continuance is important to building owners and managers across North America.

As discussed in the BOMA Statement on the ENERGY STAR® Interagency Transition, “When established, Congress directed the program to be "divided between the DOE and EPA in accordance with the terms of applicable agreements between those agencies" (42 U.S.C. §6294a).  As the program has grown and evolved, the agencies are exercising their right to realign the division of responsibility for the program.  The new MOA, in effect for 10 years, provides certainty for the program and the BOMA members who rely on it, allowing them to invest time, effort, and data in the program with confidence.”

BOMA has a long history working with multiple offices within the Department of Energy that focus on buildings, codes, and technology.  BOMA expects that the DOE Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation, along with support from the National Laboratories, will devote the personnel and financial resources necessary to meet the demands of its customers and grow the Energy Star program.

In the coming weeks, BOMA will directly communicate our support to DOE and also encourage the opportunity for staff with critical, operational knowledge to follow the program to its new home.  Additionally, if we hear from users (i.e. you, dear reader) that there are issues with the operability or functionality of the program, we will take those straight to the Assistant Secretary overseeing the program.  Email us at govt@boma.org.