Builders launch initiative to block Washington's natural gas phase-out

Backers of an initiative to halt the state’s push to end natural gas use in homes and other buildings began gathering signatures Wednesday after a Thurston County judge settled a dispute on how the measure would be described on ballots.

Initiative 2066, sponsored by the Building Industry Association of Washington, repeals provisions of a new state law meant to hasten Puget Sound Energy’s transition away from natural gas. It also bars cities and counties from prohibiting, penalizing or discouraging “the use of gas for any form of heating, or for uses related to any appliance or equipment, in any building.”

And the measure would effectively nullify recent changes to Washington’s energy code designed to get more electric heat pumps installed in newly built houses, apartments and commercial buildings. It specifically says the state code “may not in any way prohibit, penalize, or discourage the use of gas for any form of heating, or for uses related to any appliance or equipment, in any building.”

“This initiative preserves the choice of natural gas for consumers,” said Greg Lane, BIAW’s executive vice president. “This doesn’t prohibit people from going to electrification. There should be an option for consumers to stick with natural gas.”

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/05/15/builders-launch-initiative-to-block-washingtons-natural-gas-phase-out/

Standing up for gas rights.