Last fall, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a proposal to pilot a new Energy Star program element to identify and advance highly efficient products in the marketplace (“top tier”). The goal of this new effort-an extension of the Energy Star brand- is to drive more energy efficient products into the market more quickly. The proposal was informed by our commitment to maintain the credibility and value of Energy Star to the general public while investigating opportunities to do more with this successful program. We have reviewed stakeholder comments and are now taking the next step by introducing proposed recognition criteria and the Most Efficient point-of-purchase marketing template.

Comments on the proposed criteria should be sent to mostefficient@energystar.gov no later than April 6, 2011.