Initiative 2066 is an initiative to the people that would make energy less affordable, primarily financed by the Building Industry Association of Washington, a lobbying group for homebuilders that has extremely right wing leadership. It was certified on July 24th, 2024, after a late spring and early summer signature drive.
Basic facts
| Ballot Title: | Initiative Measure No. 2066 concerns regulating energy services, including natural gas and electrification. This measure would repeal or prohibit certain laws and regulations that discourage natural gas use, and/or promote electrification, and require certain utilities and local governments to provide natural gas to eligible customers. Should this measure be enacted into law? Yes [ ] No [ ] |
| Ballot Summary: | 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. |
| Filed on: | April 5th, 2024, at 1:47 PM |
| Certified: | July 24th, 2024 (by random sample check) |
| Petition Information: | The Secretary of State’s office reported receiving tens of thousands of petition sheets for I-2066 bearing 533,005 signature lines. 15,991 of those signatures were selected for a three percent random sample check. 12,960 were accepted and 3,031 were deemed to be invalid or duplicate. |
| Sponsor: | BIAW Associate General Counsel Ashli Tagoai |
| Principal Funder: | Building Industry Association of Washington |
| Complete Text: | Available (PDF) |
Why we oppose I-2066
I-2066 would make energy bills more expensive and raise costs for families and individuals living on low-incomes. It would prevent us from making our buildings more efficient and use less energy.
It would take away important customer rebates and jeopardize all energy efficiency programs – broadly reducing access to efficient, money-saving appliances. It would also roll back existing laws that keep our utilities on the path to clean energy.
The measure’s far reaching impacts could jeopardize the efficacy of our Clean Air Act and even overturn fire codes designed to keep Washingtonians safe and healthy.
Ridiculously, I-2066 even threatens home rule — it would take take the ability of local choice for towns, cities, and counties to make the decisions that work best for their communities.
The measure is part of a nationwide effort by fossil fuel corporations and well funded interest groups who want to make as much money as possible while Washington families pay higher energy bills.
Vote NO on I-2066.
Official explanatory statement
Written by the office of the Attorney General:
The Law as It Presently Exists
Earlier this year, the Washington Legislature passed a law that regulates Puget Sound Energy (PSE), a large utility that provides gas and electricity to customers. That law is known as the “Washington Decarbonization Act.”
The Decarbonization Act consolidates PSE’s numerous reporting and planning requirements into a single plan, which must be submitted to the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC). The plan must forecast customer energy demand and provide proposals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from its operations. PSE’s plan must explain how it will transition from natural gas to electricity in a cost-effective way and how it will coordinate with local utilities when it targets an area for further electrification. In deciding whether to accept or reject the plan, the UTC must consider whether it reduces greenhouse gas emissions, meets energy efficiency targets, and results in a reasonable cost to customers.
The Decarbonization Act further prohibits PSE from offering customers rebates or incentives to buy appliances that use natural gas. Instead, PSE must educate its customers about the benefits of transitioning to electricity and the availability of rebates or incentives for energy efficient electric appliances.
The Decarbonization Act also sets requirements for how the UTC determines rates for PSE customers. For example, it would change how the UTC must calculate the depreciation of gas plants when determining rates.
The Effect of the Proposed Measure if Approved
If approved, Initiative Measure No. 2066 would repeal or amend certain provisions of the Decarbonization Act. Specifically, Initiative Measure No. 2066 would prohibit PSE rate plans that restrict access to gas service and any planning requirements that render gas service cost- prohibitive. It would allow PSE to offer rebates to purchase natural gas appliances or equipment and PSE would not be required to educate customers about the benefits of electrification or the availability of rebates for energy efficient appliances. It would also remove requirements that PSE target certain areas for electrification and coordinate with local utilities to further electrification.
The measure would also require gas utilities and local governments to provide natural gas to customers who demand it, even if other energy services or energy sources are available. It would further prohibit local governments, air pollution control agencies, and the State Building Code Council from prohibiting, penalizing, or discouraging the use of gas.
Downloadable one-page fact sheet
Seattle Channel debate on I-2066 with proponents
Legislative staff summary of Initiative 2066
Note: This information has been prepared by nonpartisan staff for state representatives in response to various requests for a summary of Initiative 2066. It is provided for analytical and legislative policy purposes only.