In a closely watched state-law ruling, the Washington Supreme Court struck down Initiative 2066, a voter-approved measure designed to curb state and local efforts to move buildings and utilities away from natural gas. In Climate Solutions v. State, the court held that the initiative violated the Washington Constitution’s single-subject rule, rendering the measure invalid.

The decision matters well beyond ballot-law procedure.

The Second Circuit has handed New York City and New York State a major appellate win, ruling that they may enforce measures that effectively bar fossil-fuel appliances in newly constructed buildings. The decision is important well beyond New York: it sharpens a growing disagreement among federal appeals courts over whether local and state building-electrification laws are preempted by federal energy-efficiency statutes.

At the center of the dispute were challenges by trade groups and unions arguing that the city and state restrictions unlawfully intrude on an area governed by federal law, particularly the Energy Policy and Conservation Act.