Certified by the EPA and DOE

By Randall Hoven

Energy Star is a government program run jointly by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. This program certifies products as meeting its strict energy efficiency standards.

"If looking for new household products, look for ones that have earned the ENERGY STAR. They meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and US Department of Energy."

You can rest assured that your government subjects products submitted by manufacturers to receive the Energy Star to rigorous examination, laboratory testing, third-party verification, etc.

Or maybe not.

The Government Accountability Office evaluated the Energy Star program by a covert investigation: submitting bogus products for approval. Here is what the GAO found.

"GAO's investigation shows that Energy Star is for the most part a self-certification program vulnerable to fraud and abuse. GAO obtained Energy Star certifications for 15 bogus products, including a gas-powered alarm clock."

Of 20 bogus products submitted by the GAO, the Energy Star program required independent verification for only four.

Approximately $300 million of Obama's stimulus will be used for state rebate programs on "energy-efficient" products as certified by the Energy Star program.

The table below details several fictitious GAO products certified by Energy Star.