Washington ‘energy choice’ initiative heads to November ballot

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — An initiative challenging Washington leaders’ plans to phase out natural gas will be put to a vote.

On Wednesday, the Washington Secretary of State’s office informed voters that Initiative No. 2066 has gained enough signatures to be added to the November 2024 election ballot.

The measure would ensure that residents and businesses can continue using fossil fuels.

“The people find that having access to natural gas enhances the safety, welfare, and standard of living of all people in Washington,” Initiative 2066 reads. “The people further find that preserving Washington’s gas infrastructure and systems will promote energy choice, security, independence, and resilience throughout the state.”

The measure was filed in early April in response to legislation that was approved by Gov. Jay Inslee in late March. House Bill 1589 calls on the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to support the state’s transition into clean energy, by requiring utility companies to integrate their gas and electric services by 2027.

HB 1589 further enforces the state’s Climate Commitment and Clean Energy Transformation acts, both of which aim to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the next few decades.

The bill does not ban natural gas, and Washington utility company Puget Sound Energy vehemently informed customers that it would not impose a rate increase. The company also reported that natural gas energy use has slightly declined and is expected to keep dropping for the next five years, while electricity use is projected to steadily rise.

“PSE is currently required to file a multitude of different plans for the gas and electric business on different timelines with the UTC,” Puget Sound Energy explained after HB 1589’s passage. “These plans are duplicative and time-consuming. This process brings more alignment to our planning for customers and stakeholders while maintaining important standards and benchmarks.”

Still, more than 530,000 Washingtonians signed the initiative that hopes to maintain energy choice.

An initiative needs just 324,516 valid signatures from registered voters before it can head to an election ballot. The Secretary of State’s Office reviewed a random sample of 15,991 signatures, and determined that 12,960 were valid.

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