Energy Star Program Certifies 15 Out of 20 Bogus Products

longacre writes "A Gasoline-Powered Alarm Clock was among 15 bogus products granted the coveted Energy Star seal of approval by the US Environmental Protection Agency during a secret evaluation conducted by the Government Accountability Office. In addition, four fictional manufacturers run by fake people and marketed with crummy websites — Cool Rapport (HVAC equipment), Futurizon Solar Innovations (lighting), Spartan Digital Electronics, and Tropical Thunder Appliances — were granted Energy Star partnerships. The root of the problem: Manufacturers need only submit photos and not actual examples of their products, and they submit their own efficiency ratings, which are not independently verified by the EPA."

Comments

Re:Never, ever, ever, ever trust the government

[moosesocks]

There are plenty of services/industries that are not, and never can be simultaneously competitive and efficient.

The government is the best entity to regulate or directly run these services in order to prevent abuses from occurring in these industries (examples: transportation, healthcare, "last-mile" telecoms, and other utilities).

Governments have a poor track record of anticipating demand and controlling means of production -- this was the chief failure of communism. On the other hand, governments have an excellent track record of providing essential services and utilities. Take a look at Thatcher's domestic legacy in the UK for a nice comparison of private vs. government-managed services.

Politicians have a fire lit under their ass to make sure that taxes are spent efficiently. The Republicans got their asses handed to them in 2006 and 2008 because of it, and the Democrats will likely see the same thing happen to them this year.