The Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC) is trying to once again limit energy choice options by taking up changes to Washington’s energy code to disadvantage natural gas in building construction. This will effectively BAN gas hookups in Washington state by making it harder and more expensive for builders to achieve compliance with the state’s energy code.

Imagine preparing to cook your Thanksgiving turkey this holiday season, only to be told by the Building Code Council how you will cook it. Not sure about you, but we don’t like to be told by politicians and unelected bureaucrats which appliances we should be using in our homes to cook our meals.

We need your help to change these anti-choice energy codes - Please use the form on this page to send a message and submit public comment that you OPPOSE SBCC's over-reach!

You can add a personal story on how this change will impact you when you make your voice heard!

These new codes provide almost no climate benefit while burdening Washington homeowners and businesses with additional costs and requirements. They especially hurt our most vulnerable Washingtonians. 

Here are a few facts:

• The proposed energy code adds a minimum of $9,200 to the cost of a new home. According to a recent report by the National Association of Home Builders, a median-priced new home in Washington already costs $210,000 more than the national average — $635,131 compared to the national average of $425,786. At that price, nearly 81 percent of Washington’s 3.1 million households can’t afford a home.
• Roughly one-third of Washington households use natural gas as their primary energy source for home heating, according to the Energy Information Administration.
• The new codes will put extra strain on what experts agree is an already fragile regional electricity grid, boosting the risk of outages when homes and businesses most need the energy (i.e. cold weather).  The natural gas system is underground and protected from the snow, ice and wind storms that often disrupt electricity service in our region.
• The new code will restrict the personal decisions that should be made by homeowners and businesses to choose the appliances that make the most sense for them. Today, you can buy any appliance you want to serve your purpose and preference. The choice will be limited to electric appliances if these codes go into effect.

The public commenting period on changes to the new code is now open. Please send a message using the form on this page and tell the Washington State Building Code Council you OPPOSE their overreach! 

Please add a personal story on how this change will impact you.