Potential passage of WA bill fuels other groups seeking to protect natural gas

Two days after the general election, county auditors are still counting ballots across Washington state, with more than 780,000 ballots remaining as of Thursday afternoon.

Supporters Initiative 2066to secure natural gas as an energy choice are cautiously optimistic about its passage, with just over 75,000 votes in their favor.

“When all the votes are in, we will win,” Building Industry Association Vice President Greg Lane told The Center Square newspaper late Tuesday.

“More than half a million individual voters and more than 400 businesses came together to bring I-2066 to the ballot in just seven weeks. The collection of more than 546,000 signatures was the second-highest total for a state initiative and the highest in more than 50 years,” the Nov. 6 release said. press release from BIAV.

If it passes, I-2066 would repeal part of the law. 2024 law it accelerates Puget Sound Energy’s transition away from natural gas as part of an overall plan to use more electricity.

The measure would require utilities to offer natural gas and would prohibit any utility plans that disincentivize or ban natural gas.

“We did this because affordable housing and homeownership opportunities are critical in Washington state, and we need to make it more accessible,” Lane said. “Policies that increase the cost of housing for both current and future homeowners are not good policies, and voters agreed.”

Opponents say the measure would roll back progressive climate measures and increase costs over time.

NO in 2066 The campaign argues that as more and more homeowners replace gas with electric appliances, it will leave fewer residents on the hook to pay to maintain a system that serves fewer customers, thereby forcing them to shoulder a larger share of operation and maintenance costs.

Puget Sound Energy said gas consumption is down 7% for residential customers and 3% for commercial customers compared to 2023 levels.

Center Square asked the Washington State Building Code Board to comment on the impact of the current code if I-2066 is passed, as the SBCC currently prohibits natural gas connections to new homes and businesses.

“While the passage of I-2066 may require changes to building codes, SBCC does not believe it will result in a repeal of the 2021 energy code,” Jennifer Reynolds, communications manager for the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services, said in an email.

“The State Building Code Board must use the rulemaking process to update state building codes. This is done every three years to bring them into compliance with national model codes and to ensure they are current with current legislative guidance on energy policy (Washington State Energy Code),” Reynolds said.

I-2066 may have implications beyond Washington State.

“In a state as progressive as Washington, for citizens to stand up and say no, natural gas must be part of the energy mix going forward, and it makes no sense to ban or restrict affordable, reliable energy. a resource like natural gas sends a really strong message across the country,” Lane said, adding that BIAW is hearing from people in several other states.

“Our national association and my colleagues in other states have definitely talked to me about this and observed what is happening here,” he said. “They’re fighting this battle in New York, they’re fighting this battle in Illinois, they’re fighting this battle in Colorado right now, and it’s heating up in other states as well. “They’re paying close attention to what happens here in Washington and how it might affect the debate around these policies in their states.”

This story will be updated as more votes come in. returns tallied by the Secretary of State’s Office.