WASHINGTON — Initiative 2066 would prohibit state and local governments from restricting access to natural gas and would prohibit the state building code council from prohibiting, penalizing and discouraging the use of natural gas in any building.
If passed, I-2066 would also require gas companies, utility companies or any city or town that provides natural gas, to provide it to any person and or corporation even if other energy services or sources may be available to them.
Under Initiative 2066, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission would be prohibited from approving any multi-year rate plan requiring or incentivizing a natural gas or utility company to get rid of natural gas services. They also can't implement requirements that would make access to natural gas services cost-prohibitive.
Main Street Matters to Washington is leading the protect energy choice, stop the gas ban campaign in support of I-2066.
Other supporters of I-2066 include the following organizations:
- Building Industry Association of Washington
- Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
- NW Hearth Patio and BBQ Association
- Washington Hospitality Association
- Washington Realtors
According to Ballotpedia, there is not a campaign in opposition to the ballot measure at this time.
"It is very simple. If you have natural gas, this protects you to be able to keep natural gas in your home or your business. And it protects the freedom of every single Washingtonian to have the clean energy of their choice," said Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) Executive Vice President Greg Lane.
To learn more about I-2066, you can click here.