Climate
US Energy Department Removes 1,600+ Webpages on Saving Energy Amid Heatwave as Trump Proposes Weakening Efficiency Standards
July 15, 2026 at 11:00 AM
The Trump administration has proposed weakening energy efficiency standards for home appliances while at least 1,662 Department of Energy webpages on saving energy and protecting the grid have been deleted.
- At least 1,662 Department of Energy webpages offering guidance on saving energy and protecting the electrical grid during heatwaves have been removed as of July 3, 2026, according to a Guardian analysis of Internet Archive data.
- On July 2, 2026, the Trump administration announced a proposal to weaken energy efficiency standards for home appliances.
- New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani on July 1 asked residents to set air conditioners to 78 degrees to reduce strain on the city's electrical grid.
- Andrew deLaski, executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, said functioning air conditioners are a health and safety issue for the elderly, those with health conditions, and the young.