The Washington Supreme Court recently struck down Initiative 2066, which required utilities to provide natural gas services to anyone who requested it. This initiative, passed by voters in 2024, was deemed unconstitutional due to its multiple provisions, violating the single subject requirement for state laws.
Reactions to the ruling are mixed. Advocates, like Caitlin Krenn from Washington Conservation Action, see it as a victory for climate policy, arguing that the initiative would have entrenched reliance on fossil fuels. Conversely, State Senator Matt Boehnke contends that the ruling disregards voters’ wishes to maintain access to natural gas.
Any further legislative action regarding this issue will have to wait until the next session begins next year.
