Washington Senate committee advances natural gas bill

(The Center Square) – A Washington State Senate committee has voted to advance House Bill 1589 that has implications for current and future natural gas customers in Puget Sound, while critics say the full costs to ratepayers and taxpayers needs further examination.

“It’s not looking at what the cost is going to be when it becomes fully implemented,” Rep. Drew MacEwen, R-Shelton, told colleagues at the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology’s Friday executive session. “That is a significant cost that will be borne by taxpayers across the state.”

MacEwen unsuccessfully sought to amend the bill so that the state Utilities and Transportation Commission would have to study the cost for large utility customers to switch from natural gas to clean electricity and report back to the Legislature.

He said that the bill’s fiscal note does not account for all the costs for the state and should be fixed in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

Also speaking against the bill was Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy, who told colleagues that “we’ve never peeled back the onion” regarding the bill’s true costs. “There are fundamental things that are being changed.”

- Advertisement -

In favor of the bill’s passage was Chair Joe Joe Nguyen, D-White Center, who sponsored a striking amendment making certain changes to the bill. However, among the provisions still remaining allows large utility providers to cease offering natural gas to existing customers and replace it with “any approved non-emitting energy” sources, which would include renewable natural gas.

“We as Washington state need to be partners in a thoughtful way in terms of achieving not just our climate goals but ensuring that our residents have the best options available to them,” Nguyen said. “We need to be able to have the flexibility to consider all the opportunities that are available to us.”

The revised bill is still opposed by the Building Industry Association of Washington. In a statement, BIAW Executive Vice President Greg Lane wrote that “legislators say they care about both housing costs and rental costs, but ignore the effects this bill will have on Washington families. Not only will all existing natural gas customers, including renters, have to pay higher energy bills, under this bill, homeowners relying on natural gas may have to tear out their gas appliances, rewire their homes to carry the higher energy load and pay for new electric appliances at costs more than $50,000 total. We continue to fight for the rights of natural gas customers in Washington.”

HB 1589 first cleared the House in a 52-45 vote. It has yet to be referred to another committee.

DON’T MISS OUT

Be the first to know about the latest news, giveaways, events, and updates from The Black Chronicle!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

‘America is handing the baton to Spokane’ with $48M aerospace manufacturing grant

(The Center Square) - U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.,...

House passes bill to ban transgender students from women’s sports

Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives passed a...

Moody continues to crack down on retail theft

(The Center Square) – Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s...

Proposed Seattle crowd control bill amended to limit use of blast balls

(The Center Square) – A proposed bill related to...

More like this
Related

Medical Notes: A Cure For Nightmares, The Alcohol Myth, And How Cancer Hijacks Our Internal Clock

How cancer hijacks our internal clock. All of our cells...

‘America is handing the baton to Spokane’ with $48M aerospace manufacturing grant

(The Center Square) - U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.,...

Legislation would raise age requirement for Illinois driving test from 79 to 87

(The Center Square) – Illinois is the only state...

Burrows elected as Texas House Speaker, embraces bipartisanship, lists priorities

(The Center Square) – Members of the Texas House...