Builders denounce recent lawsuit to block Initiative 2066
December 12, 2024
The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) denounced a recent lawsuit to block Initiative 2066.
“With harsh winters quickly approaching, it’s time to stop playing legal games and respect the will of the nearly 2 million people who voted to support I-2066,” said BIAW General Counsel Ashley Penner. “Those who want to ban natural gas have been clear that they’ll use every avenue available to undermine Washington’s democracy and the people of Washington’s right to initiative. We stand ready to fight.”
As the sponsor of the initiative, BIAW plans to support the Attorney General’s Office in defending this initiative by filing a motion to intervene.
Multiple efforts to block Initiative 2066 rejected
Shortly after BIAW filed the initiative, I-2066 opponents mounted an unsuccessful legal challenge that delayed the ability to gather signatures.
“We responded to that challenge by gathering more than a half a million signatures in seven weeks,” Penner said. “Then they tried unsuccessfully to suppress voter’s rights by challenging the Secretary of State’s verification process—and voters made their voices heard at the ballot box.
“It was no surprise they would go back to the courts once again attempting to undercut our democratic process,” Penner said.
BIAW carefully crafted I-2066 with challenges in mind
“Every single section of 2066 addresses protecting the choice to access and use natural gas,” Penner said. “There are many parts of state law to be changed to ensure that customers continue to have an energy choice. And that’s what 2066 does. It ensures Washington residents and businesses can access natural gas if they want it.”
Builders urge code officials and state code council to comply with I-2066
Approved by nearly 2 million voters, I-2066 bars the State Building Code Council from prohibiting, penalizing or discouraging the use of natural gas for heating, cooking or other appliances in any building.
It also prohibits all local governments from banning, restricting or disincentivizing natural gas.
BIAW has filed its own lawsuit in Thurston County Superior Court. The lawsuit urges the court to declare I-2066 law and to require the State Building Code Council to comply.
BIAW also sent letters to local elected and building officials last week. The letters direct them to follow the law and grant permits to builders to install natural gas. BIAW also sent letters to county prosecutors and city attorneys, asking them to assist in ensuring compliance.