I-2066 will repeal the provisions of a new state law, House Bill 1589, meant to speed up Puget Sound Energy’s transition away from natural gas. It also bars cities and counties from prohibiting, penalizing or discouraging “the use of gas for any form of heating, or for uses related to any appliance or equipment, in any building.”

Washington voters approved Initiative 2066, a measure that explicitly protects access to natural gas in Washington, and also weakens building codes that make it more difficult and costly to add natural gas heating in new construction.

One measure, Initiative No. 2117, aims to repeal Governor Jay Inslee's landmark climate legislation, the Climate Commitment Act. If passed, the measure would repeal the Climate Commitment Act, which currently requires large greenhouse gas emitters to reduce emissions or purchase allowances.

Builders and contractors in Washington are celebrating passage of Initiative 2066. They call it a victory for “energy choice.” Opponents have conceded the race. But they say the measure will make it harder to achieve Washington’s clean energy goals,

French received 51.2% of the votes, while Marshall garnered 48.7%, according to the Spokane County Elections Office. French’s lead over Marshall increased each day since Tuesday, starting with a 915-vote advantage in the initial tally and a 1,330-vote lead Friday.

As supporters celebrated Friday’s passage of a ballot measure blocking Washington’s efforts to phase out the use of natural gas in homes, opponents vowed to continue their fight in court. Initiative 2066 targets the state’s combination of regulations and laws to move swiftly away from natural gas toward technology like electric heat pumps.

It looks as if natural gas access will remain an option in Washington state with the apparent passage of Initiative 2066. With more than 3.4 million votes tallied as of Friday evening, 51.51% (1,722,794 votes) were in favor of approving I-2066 to 48.