As details emerge from the Trump Administration's draft budget proceedings, more programs of relevance to the planning profession are queued up for the chopping block. The budget is still far from a done deal, however.
"A preliminary budget proposal from the White House would eliminate federal leadership of Energy Star," reports Emily Holden, "a popular voluntary program for companies to seek labels for energy-efficient consumer products and appliances."
"A spending blueprint would slash Energy Star and related programs, leaving $5 million 'for the closeout or transfer of all the climate protection voluntary partnership programs,' noting that achieving that might require changes to authorizing legislation from Congress," adds Holden.
The process of the Trump Administration and Congress passing drafts of the budget back and forth, and finally approving the budget, leaves some wiggle room for supporters of the Energy Star program. In a separate article, Chelsea Harvey shares the case made by Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, and Lowell Ungar, senior policy adviser with the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Both argue that the Energy Star program is good for consumers and for business—as such it should have a case to be made with the Trump Administration for restoring its funding in the next federal budget.
FULL STORY: White House plans to 'close out' Energy Star, other programs
Trump Budget's Devastating Effect on the EPA and Two of America's Greatest Water Resources
President Trump's budget for 2018 has the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency take the steepest hit—31 percent. Funding for two vital programs, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and Chesapeake Bay Program, will have their funds eliminated.
Undoing Biden's EV Rule
The partisan divide over how government should reduce greenhouse gas emissions was on full display after the Biden administration finalized its emissions standards rule for light and medium duty vehicles on March 20.
Supreme Court Guts the U.S. EPA’s Ability to Limit Carbon Emissions
The consequences of this ruling have long been foretold. With the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency now officially barred from the fight against climate change, Congress will have to act to reduce carbon emissions.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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