Initiative to preserve natural gas options gains momentum with 400K signatures - KATU

Initiative to preserve natural gas options gains momentum with 400K signatures

REDMOND, Wash. — Backers of an initiative to stop the state’s push to end natural gas use in buildings and homes say it has collected enough signatures to get their measure on the November ballot.

If approved, it would repeal parts of a new state law ( HB1589), which in part aims to reduce carbon emissions- that includes planning requirements. Supporters of I-2066 say they collected more than 400,000 signatures, which they intend to hand over 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 Building Industry Association of Washington and supported by Let's Go Washington and the Washington Hospitality Association. All three groups gathered at a news conference at a Redmond grocer Tuesday to announce their signature tally before heading to Tumwater to turn in 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 approval of rate plans requiring or incentivizing gas service termination, restricting access to gas service, or making it cost-prohibitive; and prohibit the state energy code, 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 news 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 transitions the state's largest energy provider, Puget Sound Energy, to transition away from natural gas.

It would prevent any kind of future ban on natural gas for cooking, heating, and equipment used in buildings - something Dan Nath, owner of Mayuri Grocer in Redmond, says would crush his bottom line. He estimates if he had to convert from gas to electric, it would cost him conservatively $700,000. He owns four markets, three in Redmond and one in Bothell. He 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 it is essential to running their business, and that in the PSE service area that equates to about 8,700 restaurants.

"We are not into politics. We just want to get it out there. We want a choice, I don't care if it's democrats and republicans," said Nath, "We have to have a choice."

He also admitted there's been confusion over the Imitative in the community. He's concerned about what he considers a gas ban, while at the same time, PSE insists there is 'no ban on natural gas.'

Under the supervision of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC), Puget Sound Energy says it's required to plan for the electric and natural gas choices of its customers consistent 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 be spread about natural gas. There is no ban on natural gas. PSE has an obligation to serve any 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’s rates are set by the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission, so neither HB 1589 or 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 reinstate natural gas conservation measures. We are evaluating the potential impacts of those changes on our customers and our business."

"One of the signs we got here says, "Don't be gaslit, keep your gas lit," said Heywood with Let's Go Washington. “Already we are hearing from PSE and some of the opposition. Don't worry. There's no ban coming. There's no ban coming, but they're building all the infrastructure, so they can make a ban. It's going to be too late when the gas ban happens, so we are saying pre-emptively if you’re not planning a ban, then you won't mind us saying preemptively don't ban the gas because you're not going to ban it anyway, so it doesn’t matter.

In the balance is a state mandate to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2045.