In a move that has drawn sharp criticism from environmental advocates and public safety experts, the White House has reportedly ordered the deletion of approximately 6,000 web pages from the Department of Energy's website that contained information on energy conservation. The deletions come as a historic heatwave continues to bake large swaths of the United States, with temperatures in New York City surpassing 95°F for four consecutive days, including two days above 100°F.
The timing of the deletions appears to be directly linked to political fallout from a seemingly innocuous recommendation by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. During the heatwave, Mamdani urged residents to set their air conditioning thermostats to 78°F to help reduce strain on the electrical grid and prevent widespread blackouts. This advice, which has been standard guidance from the Department of Energy for years and has been echoed by Republican governors in states like Texas, was met with furious backlash from prominent Republicans.
Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, who has previously faced criticism for fleeing his state during severe winter storms, labeled the suggestion as “socialism.” Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina also attacked the recommendation, with Mace claiming it was an “act of war on women in menopause.” The Republican Party has increasingly positioned itself as opposed to any form of government-issued guidance on personal energy use, framing such advice as an infringement on individual liberty.
Within days of the controversy, the Trump administration began removing tens of thousands of pages from the Department of Energy's website. While some pages directly addressed thermostat settings and energy-saving tips, the deletions were far broader. They included pages on water conservation, types of insulation, and even the department's solar decathlon challenge, a program that had encouraged students to design and build energy-efficient homes. The Internet Archive has preserved many of the deleted pages, but their removal from official government sources raises concerns about public access to critical information.
The Department of Energy's official stance, until recently, had consistently recommended setting thermostats between 75°F and 78°F during summer months to balance comfort with energy efficiency. This guidance was based on decades of research into grid reliability and consumer behavior. During heatwaves, when demand for electricity spikes due to widespread air conditioner use, even small adjustments can prevent overloads that lead to blackouts. The consequences of blackouts during extreme heat can be deadly: without air conditioning, vulnerable populations—including the elderly, young children, and those with chronic health conditions—face significantly higher risks of heat-related illness and death.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, extreme heat is the deadliest weather-related phenomenon in the United States, killing more people on average than floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes combined. In 2023 alone, over 2,300 deaths were attributed to heat-related causes, and experts warn that climate change is making heatwaves more frequent, intense, and prolonged.
The deletion of energy conservation resources has alarmed public health officials who view such information as essential for community preparedness. “Removing these pages during a heatwave is like taking down hurricane preparedness guides in the middle of hurricane season,” said Dr. Elena Torres, a climate and health researcher at Columbia University. “It leaves people without the tools they need to protect themselves and their families, especially those who rely on government websites for reliable information.”
Critics also point out the political hypocrisy at play. Republican governors in states like Texas and Florida have issued identical advice during heatwaves in previous years. In 2023, Texas Governor Greg Abbott encouraged residents to set their thermostats to 78°F to help avoid rolling blackouts. The same guidance was given by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the state's grid operator. Yet when a Democratic mayor in New York offered the same recommendation, it was derided as an overreach.
This is not the first time the Trump administration has targeted energy efficiency and conservation information. Earlier in his presidency, the White House ordered the removal of climate change-related pages from the Environmental Protection Agency's website. The Department of Energy's website was also scrubbed of references to renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions. Advocates argue that these actions are part of a broader effort to downplay the role of government in promoting sustainable practices and to avoid acknowledging the reality of climate change.
The deletions have also sparked concerns about transparency and the preservation of historical records. The Internet Archive's Wayback Machine has captured many of the removed pages, but the organization notes that it cannot guarantee complete coverage. “Government websites are a critical public resource, and their content should not be subject to political whims,” said Mark Graham, director of the Wayback Machine. “Once pages are removed from the live site, they become harder for average citizens to find, even if they are preserved in our archives.”
The heatwave currently affecting the Northeast and Midwest is expected to persist for at least another week, with temperatures remaining well above average. In New York City, officials have opened cooling centers and urged residents to check on elderly neighbors. But without access to the Department of Energy's conservation tips, many may not know simple steps they can take to stay safe while minimizing energy use.
The controversy underscores a growing divide over the role of government in providing public health and safety information during climate-related emergencies. While some view such guidance as paternalistic, experts argue that timely, accurate information can save lives. As the planet continues to warm and heatwaves become more common, the availability of government-backed resources on energy conservation and heat safety will only become more critical.
Source: The Verge News