In November 2024, Washington voters approved Initiative 2066 with roughly 52% of the vote. It was backed by the Building Industry Association of Washington and the group Let's Go Washington. According to the Secretary of State's explanatory statement, the measure said state and local governments "shall not in any way prohibit, penalize, or discourage the use of gas." It also:

Climate groups, Seattle, and King County sued after it passed, arguing the measure bundled too many separate policies into one ballot item. A King County judge agreed, and on September 17 the Washington Supreme Court did too, in Climate Solutions v. State of Washington.

Writing for the 6-3 majority, Chief Justice Debra Stephens said I-2066 covered four separate subjects: access to natural gas, limits on local air-quality authority, changes to statewide building codes, and changes to the state's Decarbonization Act. Because the pieces couldn't be separated, the whole measure was declared unconstitutional. Three justices dissented and argued that much of the initiative could have been saved.

The key detail: the court ruled on how the initiative was written, not on whether people should be allowed to use natural gas. Axios Seattle reported that opponents called it a win for efforts to cut carbon emissions, while backers called the decision biased and one-sided and said their goal was to keep energy costs down for families.

Which one is cheaper to run? It depends, and both sides have data. Washington has some of the lower electricity prices in the country thanks to hydropower. The U.S. Energy Information Administration's Washington state profile showed an average residential price of 13.79 cents per kWh versus 18.07 cents nationally in the period I reviewed (September 2025). Electricity rates have been rising, so check your latest bill.

Heat pumps are also far more efficient than old electric heat. ENERGY STAR says an air-source heat pump can deliver up to three times more heat energy than the electricity it uses, and its heat pump water heater guide says certified units use about 70% less energy than a standard electric water heater.

On the other side, NW Natural says that for most of its customers, natural gas furnaces are cheaper to operate than electric heat pumps under a variety of conditions. Your real numbers depend on your home's size, insulation, ductwork, equipment, and current rates. Ask both utilities for a usage estimate for your address before making a big decision.

The case that electric and heat pumps help value

If you own a home with gas

According to MyNorthwest, five state Supreme Court seats are on the ballot. Whatever you think of this ruling, in either direction, it came before the election, so voters can weigh it as they choose. Please read your ballot and vote. Housing rules get decided by the people who show up.