Employees were told that the popular energy efficiency certification program would be “de-prioritized and eliminated,” according to documents and a recording.

The program, which started in 1992, provides basic information about how much energy an appliance uses. Without it, your next large appliance purchase could end up costing you more money than you bargained for.

Established in 1992 during the George H.W. Bush administration, Energy Star was a public-private partnership that encouraged manufacturers to develop and promote energy-efficient, cost-saving appliances. Both consumers and businesses embraced the program’s products, which were marked by the familiar blue Energy Star label.