Information

Type: Deliberation

Department: BOCC - Board of County Commissioners

Directors' Update: March 26, 2025

Business Meeting: April 1, 2025

Summary:

Protect access to natural gas for homes and businesses to comply with Initiative 2066 - Public Services Building and Fire Safety

Publications:

Cover Letter To:

Additional Copies To:

Resolution

WHEREAS, on November 5, 2024, Washington State voters approved Initiative Measure No. 2066, which became effective on December 5, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Initiative No. 2066 repeals regulations that discourage the use of natural gas, eliminating penalties for its use in heating and appliances in residential and commercial buildings; and

WHEREAS, Initiative No. 2066 Sec. 10 states that a county shall not in any way prohibit, penalize or discourage the use of gas for any form of heating, or for uses related to any appliance or equipment, in any building; and

WHEREAS, the Preface of the 2021 Washington State Amended International Codes specifies that local jurisdictions, such as counties and cities, are restricted from altering certain provisions of the State Building Code, including the State Energy Code (WAC 51-11R for residential and WAC 51-11C for commercial buildings); and

WHEREAS, the current versions of the 2021 WSEC-R and WSEC-C discriminate against the use of natural gas appliances by unfavorably weighting any credits against the use of efficient natural gas appliances; and

WHEREAS, Chapter 11 of the 2021 International Residential Code and the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code set forth nationally recognized energy efficiency requirements while permitting the use of combustion-fueled heating systems and appliances without penalizing gas use, ensuring compliance with Initiative No. 2066.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Lewis County adopts the energy efficiency provisions from Chapter 11 of the 2021 International Residential Code and the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code as alternative pathways to compliance for energy conservation design in residential and commercial construction, which permit the use of combustion-fueled heating equipment and appliances without penalty, in line with Initiative No. 2066. All other applicable state, county and federal construction and building operation codes will remain in effect. This resolution is effective immediately and will remain in force unless state regulations are amended to address the natural gas restrictions repealed by Initiative No. 2066.

DONE IN OPEN SESSION this 1st day of April, 2025.