Supporters to hold 'super signing' event in Centralia for natural gas initiative
Jun. 21—Supporters of an initiative to stop Washington's movement away from natural gas use in homes and other buildings will host a "super signing" event in Centralia next week.
The event is intended to collect initiative petitions ahead of a July 5 deadline to submit enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot. Supporters must submit signatures of at least 324,516 registered voters to the Secretary of State's Office by 5 p.m. on July 5, though it is recommended they submit at least 405,000 signatures.
According to the Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW), more than 120,000 initiative petitions have been circulated. The event is planned for Eubanks Glass, located at 505 W Main St. in Centralia, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 27.
"For years, we've fought powerful political interests intent on eliminating natural gas as an energy choice," said Greg Lane, executive vice president of the BIAW. "We know natural gas provides warmth and comfort to more than a million Washington homes. It's also the lifeblood of thousands of restaurants and businesses.
If passed, Initiative 2066 will bar local jurisdictions from prohibiting, penalizing or discouraging "the use of gas for any form of heating, or for uses related to any appliance or equipment, in any building," according to The Washington Standard.
"It would be very unwise, prudent and economically kind of dumb to shackle ourselves to a product that's going to cost more money over time," Gov. Jay Inslee said during a March 7 news conference.
