The very first thing you see in your poll stands out as the most deceptive initiative within the historical past of Washington state—fairly the achievement within the land of Tim Eyman.
Although its proper wing backers are pitching it as a easy subject of “power selection,” Initiative 2066 would result in greater power payments for working households, greater earnings for fossil gas trade CEOs, and much more local weather air pollution that worsens excessive climate disasters.
The company cronies behind this measure spent tens of millions to get it on the poll and are utilizing blatant fearmongering to get it handed—nothing in present or future state legislation prevents anybody from shopping for fuel home equipment or accessing “pure” fuel. However deep pocketed particular curiosity teams just like the Koch Industries and ultrarich hedge fund supervisor Brian Heywood aren’t above deceptive the general public to gradual the transition to wash power.
What I-2066 would do is enshrine the usage of fossil fuels into state legislation, placing us in a long-term relationship with “pure” fuel—which is usually methane, a local weather tremendous pollutant greater than 80 instances stronger than carbon dioxide.
It might additionally reverberate throughout the nation, giving the fossil gas trade a blueprint for how one can abuse the initiative course of to roll again progress and hold us depending on their polluting product for many years to return.
Fortunately, a rising coalition of practically 200 civic teams starting from labor unions, inexpensive housing suppliers, residence builders, and environmental organizations, have come collectively to oppose this assault on power effectivity and clear power. Whereas Heywood and his cronies are hoping to sneak this initiative beneath the radar throughout a busy election season, our coalition is aware of that Washington residents will reject this unhealthy religion effort and vote No on 2066.
The initiative would roll again key measures that shield Washington residents from rising power payments. It might intestine a lately handed invoice that helps Puget Sound Vitality hold power payments low whereas transitioning away from fossil fuels. Unbiased evaluation reveals that with out this sort of cautious planning, fuel payments in Washington State might enhance by $150 a 12 months by 2035 and double by 2050, with impacts disproportionately falling on low-income prospects.
The initiative additionally undermines Washington state’s nation-leading constructing codes, which incentivize homebuilders to put in warmth pumps — essentially the most power environment friendly residence heating home equipment in the marketplace. Warmth pumps additionally double as air conditioners and air filters — more and more important as fossil fuel-driven local weather change worsens warmth waves and wildfire smoke occasions. These rollbacks of power effectivity measures would additionally enhance the price of new housing, since analysis reveals that all-electric new properties are cheaper to construct than properties with fuel.
If it handed, I-2066 might make it unlawful for governments to supply incentives and rebates for warmth pumps. This is able to jeopardize tens of millions of {dollars} in investments which are serving to Washingtonians dwelling on low incomes make clear power upgrades to their properties. Applications that assist improve rental housing can be particularly in danger. That’s why anti-poverty teams and inexpensive housing builders are united in urging a No vote.
The initiative is an assault on native management, undermining native governments’ capacity to determine the constructing codes which are proper for the communities that they serve. Whereas these libertarian millionaire sorts like to speak about the correct to self willpower and empowering native authorities, this initiative would do exactly the other — eradicating the authority of cities and counties to answer their constituents’ wants and forcing them to stick to state-wide guidelines.
Lastly, this initiative was tailored to maintain Washington state hooked on fossil fuels, imperiling our clear air and our local weather. NW Pure, one of the vital aggressive fossil gas firms within the Pacific Northwest, has joined the Koch brothers in contributing tens of 1000’s of {dollars} to political motion committees working for a Sure vote. As much less and fewer folks use methane fuel, these firms are working desperately to roll again Washington’s progress and protect their earnings on the expense of on a regular basis folks.
As spooky season ramps up, it’s as much as Washington voters to close the door on the company ghouls and fossil gas goblins attempting to undermine our state’s power coverage, enhance prices for working households and take away protections for clear air. Vote no to avoid wasting your dough, and minimize by way of Brian Heywood’s scorching air.
Shemona Moreno (she/her) is Govt Director for 350 Seattle, a member of the 350 Seattle Board, and a consultant for the 350 Nationwide Native Group Community.
