There are things Donald Trump has done that seem petty and vindictive, then there are some that go beyond petty. They’re petty-plus. Super-spiteful and at the same time, deeply, deeply picayune. Things like killing the Energy-Star program. 

Trump’s budget would get rid of Energy Star. The government labeling program for energy-efficient appliances and consumer products is on the chopping block as the president tries to slash spending so he can steer $54 billion more a year to the military.

It’s not that the Energy-Star program isn’t important—it has saved American consumers over $430 billion in electrical expenses, while cutting back on the pollution that energy would use. But it’s not really the program costs that Trump is after. The whole Energy Star program operates on less than $50 million a year, making it a terrific national investment. It’s so good, in fact, that it’s been emulated by many other countries.

Energy Star is on the chopping block for two reasons: First, the idea of saving energy, whether it’s with hybrid cars or LED bulbs, offends the rolling-coal conservatives who view an erg not turned into smoke as an erg wasted. And second because Trump has a personal stake in this game.

Energy Star is best known for labels that tell you how much you’ll pay on your utility bill if you buy a new refrigerator or television. But it also has ratings for hotels, condominiums and office buildings.

Trump’s properties tend to receive low Energy Star ratings. … On a scale of 1 to 100 for energy efficiency, Manhattan’s old Mayfair Hotel, which Trump converted into condos, rated a 1.

Another day, another conflict of interest. What’s giving up insight into product efficiency if it helps Trump sell a condo? But even if Trump is turning off the lights on Energy Star, not every efficiency rating will die, because a federal judge was willing to slap down Trump’s actions.