Both Major Teachers Unions In Washington Endorse No on I-2066 Campaign to Stop Higher Energy Bills
This week, the Washington Education Association (WEA) joined American Federation of Teachers Washington (AFT WA) in its official endorsement of a No vote on Initiative 2066. Both of the state’s teachers unions have joined the swiftly growing opposition to I-2066 after the official “No” coalition launched earlier this month.
“Educators know that affordable energy bills are critical for students, staff, and families. The vision of AFT Washington is a just society with access for all to unions, education, health care, and social programs that provide equal opportunity. I-2066 would raise energy bills and gut energy efficiency programs. We need to make sure that families don’t have to pay more to keep their homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer.” – Richard Burton, American Federation of Teachers Washington
I-2066 is a misleading and harmful ballot initiative backed by fossil fuel corporations and powerful special interests in an effort to eliminate key affordability and energy efficiency policy at the state and local level, and experts have raised serious concerns about the potential impacts that the initiative would have on energy bills.
The energy efficiency programs and standards that the initiative would jeopardize have saved Washingtonians thousands of dollars on their energy bills and reduce stress on the electric grid during extreme weather. Initiative 2066 would also gut standards that ensure new buildings are being built so they don’t waste energy. This would mean higher monthly energy bills for future renters and homeowners.
Beyond just increasing energy costs, impacting energy efficiency policy and undermining local control, I-2066 would roll back our state’s efforts to reduce climate and air pollution and keep us dependent on dirty fossil fuels for decades to come. In fact, I-2066 repeals a section of law that states standards for new buildings must “help achieve the broader goal of building zero fossil-fuel greenhouse gas emission homes and buildings.”
With AFT WA and WEA’s endorsements, the No on 2066 Campaign now has endorsements from eight major statewide unions including United Auto Workers, UNITE HERE Local 8, and two SEIU locals. The No on 2066 campaign has also been endorsed by two local governments, more than 65 elected leaders, and more than 140 groups, including affordable housing advocates, health care experts, unions and small businesses from across the state. Others will be following suit in the coming weeks as word spreads about the I-2066’s impacts to low income energy efficiency programs, energy prices and local decisions on energy policy.
The initiative is funded by powerful interest groups including fossil fuel corporations that want to increase their profits while Washington families pay higher energy bills.
You can learn more about the No on 2066 Campaign here.