WASHINGTON STATE SENATE POISED TO PASS BILL BANNING NEW NATURAL GAS CONNECTIONS IN PARTS OF THE STATE
On March 28, the Washington State Senate Environment and Energy Committee passed ESHB 1589, a bill that would ban new commercial and residential natural gas connections in the Puget Sound Energy Service area. This means that as of June 30, 2023, any projects not permitted already will not be able to run a natural gas connection to the house or business. This is a step that is far more aggressive than the new state energy code which will allow gas connections for fireplaces and barbecues.
This bill has been promoted by Puget Sound Energy as a trade for provisions that would help them more easily meet the carbon reduction requirements of the Clean Energy Transformation Act. However, in addition to the ban on new natural gas connections which will leave these customers in the cold – literally – when the power goes out, there are significant concerns about the impacts on rate payers.
NWHPBA has been opposing this bill with a large coalition but we are nearing the end game and will be doing a full court press. The next step to stop this bill is to hold it in the Senate rules committee. We have until April 23rd (the last day of session) to stop this bill.
OVER $4 MILLION IN WASHINGTON STATE CAPITAL BUDGETS FOR WOODSTOVE CHANGE OUT PROGRAMS
Washington state continued its commitment to woodstove change outs by including over $4 million in both the House and Senate Capital budgets for the programs. Air agencies are encouraged to not use natural gas appliances if at all possible, but new woodstoves and propane stoves would still be allowed. Many air agencies are also trying to replace old woodstoves with ductless mini split systems. The Senate took a step in the right direction by also adding an additional $100,000 to encourage wood to wood change outs – but any air agency could include wood to wood changeout in their program.
In addition to the woodstove changeout program in the Capital budget, the operating budgets include $600,000 for woodstove education and enforcement from the fee collected on new woodstoves.
It will be important for NWHPBA retailers to reach out to their local air agencies to ensure partnerships in working on the woodstove changeout programs.
ALASKA LEGISLATORS INTRODUCE RESOLUTION PETITIONING EPA
Several legislators in Alaska have introduced HJR 11 which petitions the EPA to develop a woodstove certification program that addresses the threat to clean and healthy winter air in Fairbanks; and urging the state Department of Environmental Conservation to develop an economically and legally defensible state implementation plan for the Fairbanks North Star Borough nonattainment area.
IDAHO AND MONTANA MOVE TO PREVENT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM BANNING NATURAL GAS
The State of Idaho recently passed HB 106 which would prohibit any type of local government from banning certain utility connections. The bill was signed into law by the Governor on March 20. This strengthens existing laws that prohibit local governments from moving to ban natural gas.
Meanwhile, the State of Montana is advancing SB 208 which would specifically prohibit local governments from banning or limiting energy choices, including natural gas and propane. The bill also prohibits the Montana Department of Labor and Industry from including a prohibition or limitation on the use of electric, natural gas, propane or any other energy source in the state building code.
