Public Input Needed for Natural Gas Ban
SPOKANE, WA // The Spokane Home Builders Association (SHBA) is encouraging citizens to sign the petition letter to the Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC) and urge SBCC council members to reject proposals that eliminate the use of natural gas in new homes.
This Friday, October 14, 2022, at 5:00 PM is the deadline for public feedback. To simplify the process for those wishing to share their concerns, but with limited time, SHBA has streamlined the process with a petition letter opposing it.
Click the link here to add your name to our letter opposing WA State’s new proposed building code changes.
Additionally, the code changes would require equipment that is cost-prohibitive for missing middle-home buyers and that typically doesn’t tend to perform at peak efficiently below 32º in cold climates like Eastern Washington.
SHBA Government Affairs Director Jennifer Thomas shares, “If your goal is to increase affordable housing and energy choice, your most important tool is your voice.” Thomas continues, “In the midst of our housing crisis, it is unconscionable to not consider the economic impact on the most vulnerable in our community. The thought that unelected political appointees can raise the cost of home ownership and rent without concern of how it will impact our community is a travesty of equity. We simply can not make housing more accessible while continuing to make it more expensive.”
Thomas is referring to proposed revisions to the state building code concerning residential space and water heating and to the overseeing RCW that says policies should be “the least burdensome alternative for those required to comply.”
Spokane-based economist and CEO of ReallyCleanEnergy, Brian Burrow (available for interview at 509-362-1012, brian.burrow@rcnrg.com) has analyzed mandatory electric heat pump policy proposal costs and benefits and believes, “To singularly focus on electric heat pump mandates in new homes is to irresponsibly ignore a holistic multi-solution approach to meaningful carbon reduction.” Burrow continues, “The net effect is likely to shift the use of natural gas in homes to use in electricity generation and comes with significant costs and risks to residents in colder regions.” Burrow is the co-author of, “Net-Zero Emissions Feasibility Study for Spokane Region.”
The Washington State Building Code Council is comprised of fifteen citizen members, all appointed by the Governor with no legislative approval. Citizen members of the SBCC living in the Spokane region include County Commissioner Al French, Katy Sheehan, and Todd Beyreuther. The SBCC is nearing the end of its three-year code revision process. This is our last chance to stop the proposed ban on natural gas.
We encourages all Inland Northwest citizens to participate in the process and sign our petition letter opposing the ban. “Often in this process, anti-natural gas activists have created a false impression that is the opposite of public opinion. Why else would our elected state legislators have rejected and opposed these proposals? The silent majority can’t stay silent on these issues.”
