When you open your ballot this month, the first thing you’ll be asked to weigh in on is I-2066. This confusing initiative is one of four backward-looking measures pushed by powerful special interests and Brian Heywood, a far-right mega-millionaire who is trying to undo our state’s progress on everything from healthcare to the climate crisis. 

All four initiatives seek to benefit big corporations at the expense of Washington families. I-2066 will raise energy costs, roll back energy efficiency protections, and weaken local control for towns, cities and counties. That would be bad enough, but I-2066 is based on a lie: Heywood would have you believe that current policy bans people from using gas. That’s just not true. You bet your ass you can still have gas. 

A broad coalition made up of environmental organizations, affordable housing developers, labor unions, builders, small business owners, anti-poverty organizations, and public health advocates has formed to fight this effort and encourage Washington residents to VOTE NO On 2066. 

Why? Because:

• I-2066 would increase energy bills. It would require utility companies to continue investing in outdated technology and the costs would be passed on to families and businesses.

• 1-2066 would attack energy efficiency and clean air. It would roll back modern protections that make homes and businesses more energy efficient. It threatens programs and that save Washingtonians thousands on their energy bills. It would also gut protections that ensure new buildings are being built so they don’t waste energy. This would mean higher monthly energy bills for future renters and homeowners.     

• I-2066 would stop towns, cities and counties from making decisions that work best for their communities. It’s an overreach designed to prevent local decision-making and stop local governments from accessing millions of dollars to help residents and small businesses make energy upgrades that save money and provide more efficient heating and cooling. 

This initiative is funded by powerful interest groups, including fossil fuel corporations, that want to increase their profits while Washington families pay higher energy bills and increasingly struggle with the impacts of the climate crisis. That’s why over 235 businesses, organizations, local governments, and elected leaders have joined together to oppose this dangerous initiative.

In order to fight higher energy bills, stop attacks on energy efficiency, and protect clean energy progress, the answer is clear – VOTE NO on 2066. 

Learn more at no2066.org