Trump sidesteps legal limits in bid to gut appliance energy rules

Donald Trump’s second-term strategy to dismantle appliance efficiency standards hinges on canceling a crucial government contract, sowing confusion among manufacturers, regulators, and environmental advocates.

Peter Elkind reports for ProPublica.

In short:

The Trump administration has quietly targeted the Department of Energy’s efficiency standards program by canceling a $247 million contract with Guidehouse, the consulting firm that manages rule enforcement and testing.
The move, if finalized, would upend decades-old regulations that have cut energy use, lowered emissions, and saved Americans hundreds of dollars annually on utility bills.
While Trump issues flashy executive orders on items like showerheads, real damage may come from behind-the-scenes dismantling of administrative infrastructure, leaving regulations intact but unenforceable.

Key quote:

“The president is asserting king-like authority.”

— Andrew deLaski, executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project

Why this matters:

Energy efficiency rules have quietly reshaped American homes since the 1970s, trimming waste and emissions from everything from dishwashers to lightbulbs. Today’s devices consume far less energy and water while performing better, thanks to years of data-driven standards negotiated among manufacturers, environmentalists, and regulators. These rules help cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce power plant demand, and ease strain on water systems, especially in drought-prone areas. Gutting the system by defunding enforcement invites a flood of cheap, inefficient imports and undermines domestic innovation. It could leave Americans with weaker tools to fight both high utility bills and climate change.

www.propublica.org

Trump sidesteps legal limits in bid to gut appliance energy rules

Dangerous heavy rains are getting more likely and widespread

Energy crisis fuels calls to cut methane emissions

Drought raises the stakes of New Hampshire's relationship to fire

Amsterdam becomes world's first capital city to ban public adverts for fossil fuels and meat

Inside the fiery end of Vancouver Island’s last coal mine

The Iran war has changed the global energy system forever

‘Point of no return’: New Orleans relocation must start now due to sea level, study finds

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.