BIAW celebrates Initiative 2066 election results protecting natural gas choice
November 8, 2024
The Building Industry Association of Washington’s Executive Vice President Greg Lane celebrated updated Initiative 2066 election results by declaring victory for the ballot measure.
“Given the voting trends both on election night and these past two days, it’s clear that Initiative 2066 has been approved by Washington voters,” Lane said. “And their message couldn’t be more clear: Washington families and businesses support keeping natural gas service and they demand to have energy choice.”
More than 540,000 individual voters and 400+ businesses came together to bring I-2066 to the ballot in just seven weeks. That represents the second-highest number of signatures for a state initiative and the most gathered in over 50 years.
BIAW leads the fight for energy choice
“When the Legislature, the state Building Code Council and local governments threatened access to natural gas for the millions of families and businesses who rely on it, BIAW led the way and brought this initiative forward to protect energy choice,” Lane said. “The way our association members, our industry and union partners and our tens of thousands of grassroots supporters came together to protect the rights of our state’s families and businesses is truly inspiring.
“I want to thank the Washington Hospitality Association, the Associated General Contractors, the Washington Realtors, and the dozens of other employer organizations and unions for their partnership in passing I-2066,” Lane continued.
“I also want to thank everyone involved with Let’s Go Washington for the critical role they played in both qualifying and passing this measure,” he said. “But most important, I want to thank the thousands of grass-roots volunteers who gathered signatures, as well as the people of Washington for supporting I-2066.
“Together, they have sent a thunderous message to policy makers at every level of government that natural gas service must be maintained as we address the energy demands in Washington state,” he said.
I-2066, sponsored by the Building Industry Association of Washington, protects natural gas as an energy choice, ensures energy stability and security, and prohibits natural gas bans in Washington.
Initiative 2066 election results
UPDATE: Election results have continued to trend in favor of I-2066. The Secretary of State must certify the November election results by Dec. 5.
Initiative 2066
- Stops the state from limiting natural gas service to homes and businesses, like restaurants and breweries.
- Protects natural gas for heating, cooking and more.
- Stops government from banning, restricting, or discouraging gas and gas appliances in homes, restaurants and other businesses.
- Makes sure gas utilities will continue to provide natural gas to customers who want it.
- Protects people from having to switch to only electric energy.
- Keeps the power on when our energy grid is at capacity in super cold or hot weather.
Initiative 2066 does not
- Force anyone to use natural gas or natural gas appliances.
- Take away energy incentives and rebates for those who choose them.
- Reduce the state’s commitment to addressing climate change.
Key supporters
- Building Industry Association of Washington
- Washington Hospitality Association
- Washington REALTORS
- NW Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association
- IUOE Local 302
- Associated General Contractors of Washington
- Associated Builders & Contractors Western WA Chapter
- Associated Builders & Contractors Inland Pacific Chapter
- Washington Denturists Association
- Washington State Tree Fruit Association
- Washington Aggregates & Concrete Association