2024 Washington Initiative 2066
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November 5, 2024
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Repealing Restrictions on Natural Gas | |||||||||||||
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| Source: Canvass of the Returns at the Wayback Machine (archived February 14, 2025) | |||||||||||||
Washington Initiative Measure No. 2066 (I-2066) was a popular referendum that was decided on November 5, 2024. The initiative was placed on the ballot by a coalition of organizations led by the Building Industry Association of Washington, a Tumwater-based non-profit organization representing an array of organizations in the homebuilding industries.[1] The initiative was started in response to changes to the state's building codes which were intended to provide incentives for buildings to move away from natural gas as a source of heating.[1] Initiative 2066 was approved by the voters following the November 5th, 2024 general election.[2]
Washington has been pursuing a number of strategies to reduce carbon emission in the state, with a goal of reducing the state's greenhouse gas emissions by 95% by 2050.[3] One piece of this effort was the passage of HB 1589, which was signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee on March 28, 2024.[4] The goal of the law was to guide large utilities (primarily targeting Puget Sound Energy) to move towards home electrification as a key component of the state's decarbonization plan.[5] This happened along with changes to building codes that targeted gas-powered appliances and raised the costs of installing them relative to electric appliances.[6]
In response to these changes, a coalition of groups led by the Building Industry Association of Washington, and including non-profit groups like the Washington Hospitality Association, the Washington Realtors, and Associated General Contractors as well as the libertarian-aligned political action committee Let's Go Washington, began a petition-collection campaign to put a challenge to the parts of HB 1589 that sought to limit the use of natural gas in new homes and other constructions.[1]
Initiative 2066 was certified on July 24, 2024, having collected 533,005 signatures.[7]
Language and Impact
I-2066 placed the following question before the citizens of Washington:[8]
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 [ ]
When passed, I-2066 would create a mandate to maintain natural gas access to all eligible households and businesses.[9]
Support for I-2066
According to the Washington Public Disclosure Commission, Let's Go Washington was registered as sponsors of the initiative.[10]
Opposition to I-2066
According to the Washington Public Disclosure Commission, the 45th District Democrats, Defend Washington, Fuse Voters, No on 2066, and Stop Greed were registered as opponents of the initiative.[10]
Public opinion on I-2066
| Poll | Sponsor | Dates | Margin of Error | Mode | Sample Size | Support | Oppose | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SurveyUSA[11] | Seattle Times, KING-TV, & UW Center for an Informed Public | Oct 9–14, 2024 | ± 5% | Online | 703 LV | 44% | 31% | 25% |
| Elway[12] | Cascade PBS | Oct 8–12, 2024 | ± 5% | Live Phone & Text | 401 LV | 51% | 28% | 20% |
| Elway[13] | Cascade PBS | Sep 3–6, 2024 | ± 5% | Live Phone & Text | 403 RV | 47% | 29% | 24% |
| SurveyUSA[14] | Seattle Times, KING-TV, & UW Center for an Informed Public | July 10–13, 2024 | ± 5% | Online | 708 LV | 54% | 21% | 25% |