REDMOND, wash. Supporters of an initiative to stop the state’s efforts to end the use of natural gas in buildings and homes say it has gathered enough signatures to get their measure on the November ballot.
If passed, it would repeal parts of a new state law (HB1589), which is partly intended to reduce carbon emissions — that includes planning requirements. Supporters of I-2066 say they have collected more than 400,000 signatures, which they plan to submit to the Washington Secretary of State’s Office for signature verification.
They are facing a July 5 deadline and hope to secure a total of 500,000 signatures by Friday’s deadline.
I-2066 is sponsored by the Washington Construction Industry Association and supported by Let’s Go Washington and the Washington Hospitality Association. The three groups gathered at a news conference at a Redmond grocery store Tuesday to announce their signature tally before heading to Tumwater to deliver the signed petitions.
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On its website, Let’s Go Washington describes the measure here:
This measure would require utilities and local governments to provide natural gas to eligible customers; prevent state adoption of rate plans that require or incentivize the interruption of gas service, limiting access to gas service or making it costly; and prohibit state energy codes, localities and air pollution control agencies from penalizing gas use. It would repeal sections of Chapter 351, Laws of 2024, including planning requirements for cost-effective electrification and prohibitions on gas rebates and incentives.
During Tuesday’s press conference, supporters insisted the measure is not about gas over electricity, but rather preserving the right to choose one or the other.
The group started collecting signatures just 45 days ago. The measure would repeal part of a new state law that allows the state’s largest energy provider, Puget Sound Energy, to switch to natural gas.
That would prevent any future bans on natural gas for cooking, heating and appliances used in buildings — something Dan Nath, owner of Mayuri Grocer in Redmond, says would blow the bottom line. He estimates that if he had to convert from gas to electric, it would conservatively cost him $700,000. He owns four markets, three in Redmond and one in Bothell. It plans to expand to two additional locations this year and in 2025.
The Washington Hospitality Association says in a member survey that 85% of food service members said they use natural gas and that it is essential to run their business, and that in the PSE service area equates to about 8,700 restaurants.
“We’re not into politics. We just want to get it out there. We want an election, I don’t care if it’s Democrat or Republican,” Nath said, “We’ve got to have an election.”
He also admitted that there has been confusion about Imitation in the community. He is concerned about what he considers a gas ban, while at the same time, PSE insists there is ‘no natural gas ban’.
Under the oversight of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC), Puget Sound Energy says it is required to plan its customers’ electricity and natural gas choices in line with the state’s aggressive climate goals.
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Puget Sound Energy told KOMO News in a statement:
“PSE is deeply concerned about the misinformation that continues to spread about natural gas. There is no ban on natural gas. PSE has an obligation to serve every customer who wants natural gas. HB 1589 did not change that, so those provisions in I. -2066 would not affect PSE or our customers.
Customers concerned about bill impacts should understand that PSE rates are set by the Washington State Transportation and Utilities Commission, so neither HB 1589 nor I-2066 will directly change customer rates. For accurate information about HB 1589, see our fact sheet.
I-2066 also appears to repeal some aspects of the planning required by HB 1589 and restore natural gas conservation measures. We are assessing the potential impacts of these changes on our customers and our business.”
“One of the signs we got here says, ‘Don’t worry, keep the gas on,'” Heywood told Let’s Go Washington. “We’re already hearing from PSE and some of the opposition. Do not worry. There is no There is no ban but they are building all the infrastructure so it will be too late when the gas ban happens so we are saying in advance if you are not planning one. stop then you won’t mind if we say in advance don’t stop the gas because you won’t stop anyway so it doesn’t matter.
In the balance is a state mandate to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2045.