Washington Supreme Court Strikes Down Natural Gas Initiative Supporters Blast Ruling

The Washington Supreme Court ruling on Initiative 2066 is a blow to the right of Washington residents to use the initiative process as a check and balance on the legislature. The ruling changes the standard for what qualifies as a single subject, according to this initiative supporter, who argues that the court is further eroding the ability of citizens to have a say in public policy. The initiative was filed after the legislature passed House Bill 1589 in 2024 to begin the process of eliminating natural gas service in the Puget Sound Energy service area. Supporters collected nearly 550,000 signatures in just over six weeks before the initiative went before voters. Nearly 2 million Washington voters ultimately voted to approve the initiative, according to the speaker, who says the result sent a clear message to the legislature. Greg Lane, Vice President of the Building Industry Association of Washington