WPC’s petition to repeal amendments to the 2021 State Energy Code over noncompliance with the Regulatory Fairness Act was denied during SBCC’s regular January meeting
Carleen Johnson
The Center Square Washington
The Washington Policy Center has filed an appeal with the Governor’s Office over the Washington State Building Code Council’s denial of WPC’s petition regarding the requirement the SBCC analyze the cost of new rules it adopted that effectively bans natural gas hookups in new homes.
WPC’s petition to repeal amendments to the 2021 State Energy Code over noncompliance with the Regulatory Fairness Act was denied during SBCC’s regular January meeting.
WPC filed its appeal to the Governor’s Office on March 5. The Governor’s Office has 45 days to respond.
The 15-member SBCC was created to advise the Legislature on building code issues and to develop the building codes used in Washington. Its members are appointed by the governor.
Patrick Hanks is a project coordinator with WPC. He says it’s clear the SBCC did not follow the rules.
“It ultimately shouldn’t be too hard to comply because there are a lot of ways for SBCC to have businesses provide that information, but it seems like they just have a culture where they have not been doing it,” he told The Center Square.
Hanks doesn’t buy the SBCC’s rationale for voting in favor of denying WPC’s petition.
“SBCC claimed they had filed additional cost-benefit analyses which was posted on their website, and they said they met RFA requirements,” he explained.
The Center Square reached out to the Governor’s Office about Hanks’ claims but did not get a response.
“It’s pretty easy,” Hanks said. “Go read the law and look at the requirement, and we’ve outlined five major things that they are missing, which include whole components of the law that says you have to calculate these very specific things.”
The SBCC is not considering the costs of actually implementing a natural gas phaseout, according to Hanks, as opposed to compliance costs.
“It’s dealing with the cost that businesses face in just complying administratively with rule changes,” he explained. “Do they have to train employees? Do they have to get extra supplies? Are there reporting requirements that cost money?”
Hanks says business owners and operators are confused because they don’t know what compliance will cost them.
“The policy impacts are absolutely important and that’s another huge impact, but it is separate from code compliance,” he said. “When people push back and disagree, even if it’s substantial and they have numbers and data on their side, the council kind of ignored that.”
Last week, Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law a controversial bill to allow Puget Sound Energy to start planning how to move away from natural gas.
This report was first published by The Center Square Washington.
Also read:
- Budget leader says funding for programs and services is safe, concern is demand for billions in new spendingSen. Lynda Wilson highlights safe funding for services despite looming demands for billions in new spending.
- After evading repeal, will Washington expand its capital gains tax to lower incomes?One member of a prominent Washington think tank suspects lawmakers are considering modifying the capital gains tax to generate more revenue for state coffers Brett DavisThe Center Square Washington A general income tax in Washington state appears to be off the table for now, even as voters retained the state’s capital gains tax by failing …
- Opinion: New audit offers another reason lawmakers should leave the state’s paid-leave program behindElizabeth New (Hovde) critiques Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program, highlighting audit findings of double-dipping and program inefficiencies.
- Opinion: WA turns redder, despite faulty media reports that said otherwiseWAGOP highlights gains in Washington’s November 2024 election, challenging claims the state turned “bluer.”
- Vancouver City Council to host community forum on Nov. 25Vancouver City Council invites community members to share questions and ideas at a public forum on Nov. 25 at Evergreen Public Schools.
- Vancouver Public Schools to run Technology, Safety, and Capital Projects Levy on February ballotVancouver Public Schools Board approves a Technology, Safety, and Capital Projects Levy for the February 2025 ballot to support long-term needs.
- Bridge, trail reopen at Moulton Falls Regional ParkMoulton Falls Regional Park reopens its iconic wood bridge and trail after restoration work to ensure structural integrity and weather protection.