20+ ways to describe a gas ban without saying “natural gas ban”

August 5, 2024

Critics of I-2066 claim that there are no natural gas bans in Washington state. That’s because they’ve found 20+ ways to describe a gas ban without actually saying “natural gas ban.”

Misinformation confuses voters

Nitpicking over words distracts from the truth that multiple state laws and regulations will prevent Washingtonians from using natural gas to heat their homes, restaurants from using natural gas in their kitchens, and the largest utilities in the state from using natural gas to generate electricity or serve their natural gas customers.

Let’s not get lost in the details. A ban by any other name is still a ban. A ban this year or ban 10 years from now is still a ban.

Here are a few examples of words and phrases from public sources used to disguise their ultimate effect: banning natural gas.

From the Attorney General’s Office

Let’s start with the official ballot title and description of I-2066 written by Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s Office.

The explanatory statement describes “the law as it presently exists.” It says, the Washington Decarbonization Act (HB 1589) makes Puget Sound Energy:

Educate customers about the benefits of transitioning to electricity and the availability of rebates.

Meet energy efficiency targets.

Stop offering rebates or incentives to customers when using natural gas.

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Plan to transition from natural gas to electricity.

Other words from the explanatory statement that describe plans to ban natural gas:

“Discourage natural gas use”
“Promote electrification”
“Incentivizing gas service termination”
“Penalizing [natural] gas use”
“Making [natural gas] cost-prohibitive”
“Prohibitions on gas rebates and incentives”
“Restricting access to gas service”
“Target certain areas for electrification”

From the Office of Financial Management

The Fiscal Impact Statement for I-2066 by the Office of Financial Management uses similar words and descriptions:

It describes how under the Growth Management Act, 108 large counties and cities in the state have been “assuming the phasing out of natural gas” to achieve “greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals”.

It also describes how the State Building Code Council would need to amend energy and building codes that limit the use of natural gas.