During this last session, the Legislature passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1589, which allows Puget Sound Energy to target areas and plan for ending natural gas service where they choose. This is another step toward banning natural gas in Washington state.
This law could cost restaurateurs in excess of $100,000 per location to convert from natural gas to electric power and could impact a hotel tower by upwards of $1 million.
Up until now, you’ve probably been too busy running your business to get involved in grassroots politics. And that’s understandable. However, this issue is too important to sit out. Now is the time to get into the game and fight for your business and the future of our industry. The Washington Hospitality Association has joined a broad coalition that is filing a citizen’s initiative protecting natural gas. They are now collecting signatures to get Initiative 2066 on the November ballot.
The initiative will:
Protect natural gas for heating, cooking and more
Stop state and local governments – and their agencies – from banning, restricting or discouraging gas and gas appliances in homes and businesses
Ensure gas utilities will continue to provide natural gas to customers who want it
Stop the state from limiting natural gas services to homes and businesses like restaurants, hotels and breweries
Protect people from having to convert to only electric energy
Keep the power on when our energy grid is at capacity in very cold or hot weather
The coalition needs to collect 405,000 signatures by July 5 to put this initiative on the November ballot.
So here is what we need from you. The campaign needs all the help it can get collecting signatures. We're confident we can win this issue IF we make the ballot. You can also look for signature gatherers and sign the petition. Tell your friends and family about the importance of this initiative and ask them to sign, too.
You can also provide support to signature collectors by designating your business as an initiative drop-off site and you can keep the petitions safe until the campaign can collect them.
This initiative is not just about lifting the natural gas ban. It’s also about reclaiming our power and making a statement. Polling data demonstrates this ban is unpopular with voters. We can win this campaign if we all come together and work towards it.
You can support the I-2066 campaign by sending an email to our Grassroots Coordinator Dale Porter at dalep@wahospitality.org. Tell him how you are willing to volunteer, and he can help coordinate this with the campaign.
Let’s send a resounding message to the Legislature and use this opportunity to hold them accountable for passing unpopular bills without considering the impact on hospitality.
As always, it’s an honor to serve you,
|
