Washington energy choice initiative officially qualifies for the November ballot

Initiative 2066 to protect energy choices like natural gas has officially qualified for the November ballot, according to the Washington Secretary of State's Office.

Backers of the initiative turned in more than 546,000 signatures earlier this month, essentially guaranteeing the measure would have more than enough valid signatures to get on the ballot.

State law required the submission of 324,516 valid signatures from registered Washington voters to qualify. That figure is based on the number of votes cast during the last gubernatorial election.

The Building Industry Association of Washington, Let's Go Washington, the Washington Hospitality Association and other I-2066 backers celebrated the news

“When we launched this initiative with only 50 days to collect signatures, we knew the people of Washington opposed the idea of banning natural gas, but the support for this initiative shows just how strongly they feel about protecting natural gas for heating and cooking in their homes and businesses,” BIAW Executive Vice President Greg Lane said. “Now voters have the chance to protect their natural gas and avoid costly conversions to all-electric by voting yes on I-2066 in November.”

If passed, I-2066 would prohibit the state and all local governments from banning, restricting or discouraging the use of natural gas in new or existing homes or commercial buildings.

The ultimately successful effort to get I-2066 on the ballot was prompted by concerns over the passage of House Bill 1589 during this year's legislative session.

HB 1589 allows Puget Sound Energy, the state’s largest utility, to start planning how to move away from natural gas as part of Gov. Jay Inslee's efforts to fight climate change.

Three Republican-backed initiatives are already on the ballot to be decided by voters this November. One would repeal the Climate Commitment Act, another would allow Washington workers to opt out of the state's long-term care program, and one would repeal the state's capital gains tax.