Washington voters approved Initiative 2066, a measure that explicitly protects access to natural gas in Washington, and also weakens building codes that make it more difficult and costly to add natural gas heating in new construction.

It looks as if natural gas access will remain an option in Washington state with the apparent passage of Initiative 2066. With more than 3.4 million votes tallied as of Friday evening, 51.51% (1,722,794 votes) were in favor of approving I-2066 to 48.

Builders and contractors in Washington are celebrating passage of Initiative 2066. They call it a victory for “energy choice.” Opponents have conceded the race. But they say the measure will make it harder to achieve Washington’s clean energy goals,

Only one of four initiatives on Washington's ballot still stands a chance of passing: I-2066, which would roll back certain state regulations on natural gas.

Voters in climate-conscious Berkeley, California — the first US city to attempt a ban on natural gas use in new buildings — roundly rejected a measure that would have imposed a tax on the fuel.

As supporters celebrated Friday’s passage of a ballot measure blocking Washington’s efforts to phase out the use of natural gas in homes, opponents vowed to continue their fight in court. Initiative 2066 targets the state’s combination of regulations and laws to move swiftly away from natural gas toward technology like electric heat pumps.