A Major Win for Energy Engineers: ENERGY STAR® Fully Funded Through 2026

Congress Locks in $33 Million Annual Support, Protecting the Benchmarking Tools That Power U.S. Building Performance

The United States Congress has fully funded the ENERGY STAR® program through fiscal year 2026, marking a significant milestone for one of the most impactful energy efficiency programs in U.S. history. For the first time since ENERGY STAR was created in 1992, lawmakers have established a mandatory annual funding level, requiring at least $33 million to support the program and preventing future efforts to scale it back through administrative action. After a year of uncertainty around federal support, this decision restores confidence to markets, practitioners, and policymakers alike.

This decision sends a clear message: energy efficiency remains a national priority, and the tools that support performance, transparency, and measurable savings are essential to the market.

The Proven Impact of ENERGY STAR

Since its inception, ENERGY STAR has helped consumers and organizations save more than 5.2 trillion kilowatt-hours of energy and over $500 billion in costs, becoming an international standard for efficiency. ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager alone is used in roughly 25% of all U.S. commercial building space and underpins building energy requirements in multiple states, cities, and Canadian provinces.

What Continued Funding Means for AEE Members

For members of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), this funding is more than policy news. It directly supports the professional work happening every day across the energy sector.

AEE Certified professionals rely on ENERGY STAR tools and benchmarks to evaluate building performance, comply with state and local disclosure laws, validate savings, and guide investment decisions. Programs like Portfolio Manager provide the standardized framework that allows energy engineers, auditors, and managers to translate data into action, which turns efficiency goals into verified outcomes.

The Power of Collective Advocacy

The funding decision also reflects the power of collective advocacy. More than 1,200 organizations urged Congress to preserve ENERGY STAR, citing its importance to real estate markets, corporate sustainability efforts, and public-sector efficiency initiatives. This broad coalition, spanning industry, utilities, local governments, and nonprofits, demonstrates how aligned voices can protect the infrastructure that makes energy efficiency work at scale.

Challenges and the Need for Engagement

At the same time, challenges remain. ENERGY STAR continues to operate amid staffing losses and broader federal funding cuts affecting other efficiency and building technology programs. Continued engagement, professional leadership, and advocacy will be critical to ensuring the program’s long-term strength and effectiveness.

Aligning Policy, Standards, and Professional Expertise

AEE remains committed to supporting policies and programs that enable energy professionals to succeed, while equipping members with the education, certifications, and community needed to apply these tools in the field. ENERGY STAR’s continued funding reinforces the value of skilled practitioners paired with strong public frameworks, a combination that has proven time and again to deliver lasting energy and cost savings.

For AEE members, this moment emphasizes an essential truth: when policy, standards, and professional expertise align, energy efficiency delivers its greatest impact.