WA high court tosses natural gas measure approved by voters

OLYMPIA [Jerry Cornfield] —The state Supreme Court on Thursday invalidated a ballot measure approved by voters in 2024 that sought to slow Washington’s shift from natural gas toward technology like electric heat pumps. In a 6-3 decision, the justices affirmed a lower court ruling, finding Initiative 2066 “unconstitutional in its entirety” because it runs afoul of […]

New home costs may soar an additional $9,000 next year because of new statewide policy

OLYMPIA, Wash., December 3, 2023—The Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC) on November 28, adopted rules restricting the use of natural gas/propane appliances to adhere with lawmaker’s goals of building zero fossil-fuel greenhouse gas emission homes and buildings by the year 2031. The new effective date for all building codes is March 15, 2024. “Despite hundreds […]

Lawsuit filed to stop L&I emergency rule fining businesses up to $10,000

By Building Industry Association of Washington | Press Release Olympia, WA — June 8, 2020 — The Building Industry of Washington today filed a lawsuit to repeal an emergency rule that authorizes the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) to fine businesses that violate Gov. Inslee’s Stay at Home Order. The suit, filed in Thurston […]