Lawsuit filed over Washington’s new natural gas ban

A group of building industry associations have filed a lawsuit against the Washington State Building Code Council's recently adopted codes for residential and commercial buildings that critics warn will increase the price of housing that is already unaffordable for 84 percent of state residents.
 

In a petition filed Tuesday in the Thurston County Superior Court, the group of plaintiffs argue that the council illegally enacted the policies after Gov. Jay Inslee repeatedly failed to get similar proposals passed in the Legislature.

Starting in July, it will be illegal for builders to place natural gas or propane in new construction as a primary source of energy. Instead, they are required to install a heat pump for both space and water heating. The code regulation allows natural gas as a backup energy source, but according to the Building Industry Association of Washington, or BIAW, that will add $2,400 to the price of a new home.