Big Oil Has A Plan - Waste As Much Energy As Possible - CleanTechnica

The article discusses recent actions by the U.S. government, specifically the elimination and de-prioritization of the Energy Star program by the EPA under the Trump administration. Energy Star, a bipartisan initiative started by Republicans, has been highly effective in saving consumers money—$14 billion in 2024 alone—and significantly reducing carbon emissions since 1992. The program’s termination is seen as a deliberate move to slow the transition to renewable energy and prolong fossil fuel dependence, benefiting incumbent energy producers like Big Oil. Environmentalist Bill McKibben highlights that such policies appear designed to waste energy, aligning with fossil fuel industry interests that historically favor energy inefficiency to maintain market dominance. The article also contrasts this approach with the preferences of businesses globally, where 97% reportedly favor switching to renewable energy due to its efficiency, cost stability, and reduced geopolitical risks. McKibben criticizes the U.S. government’s contradictory stance, citing a Department of Energy goal to increase fossil fuel exports and foreign