The U.S. government shutdown has taken a toll on Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star program. Facing a funding lapse due to the shutdown, EPA decided to temporarily shutter the electronic energy certification program, which is expected to impact LED lighting, other lighting, many other products, and has cancelled the annual Partners Meeting scheduled for this week, according to a report by LED Magazine.
Ongoing fight between Democratic President Barack Obama and Republican-led House of Representatives has paralyzed government operations as the political stalemate has led to an overall government fund freeze. Affected by the political dispute, Energy Star’s partner applications and inquiries are on hold for now, said EPA. Furthermore, EPA will not be updating qualified products lists or releasing any new specification drafts until funding is fully restored.
Energy Star falls as the latest victim of U.S. government shutdown. (LEDinside/ Energy Star)
Although, Energy Star’s website is still functioning, no further updates will be made to its website or social media channels. Online tools, applications and agency hotlines have also been disabled.
While it is hoped Energy Star’s shutdown will be temporary, EPA is not over with its funding woes. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy already reported to the congress on Sept. 23 that the agency would be unable to pay employees or draft regulations if the funding shortage continued till Oct. 1. A White House 2013 budget document showed government funding for the agency was already down 1.2 percent to US$ 8.3 billion, or US$ 105 million below the 2012 enacted level.
The congress appears to be keen on implementing further reductions, though. On July 23, 2013, the U.S. House of Representative Panel proposed a bill that will cut 34 percent of the agency's funding, a move led mostly by Republican politicians to block Democrats from introducing new environmental measures, according to Science Insider. While the bill is unlikely to be passed and funding will be maintained at 2013 levels, it remains unclear when the two parties will reach a final budget agreement.
