The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) joined other leading trade associations in Washington in urging the US Department of Justice to act on President Trump’s executive order protecting American energy from state overreach.

In a letter sent today to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, the groups highlighted how Washington state’s climate policies, including the 2021 Washington State Energy Code and HB 1589, have driven up housing costs and threatened energy reliability.

“Washington’s aggressive energy policies go beyond harming housing affordability — they endanger energy reliability and drive up costs for families and businesses,” said Greg Lane, BIAW’s Executive Vice President. “We’re seeing firsthand the consequences of these one-size-fits-all mandates, especially in eastern Washington, where electric-only solutions can cause real damage to homeowners.”

BIAW has been fighting back through legal and policy advocacy, including Initiative 2066 to protect energy choice.

“Voters made it clear last November — they want the freedom to choose how they power their homes,” Lane said.

“Despite persistence,” the letter says. “Our organizations and the thousands of employers and citizens we represent have had little to no success combatting state climate activism, which is why we are grateful for the White House and Department of Justice’s commitment to protecting accessible, affordable, and reliable American energy.”

The full letter, submitted today to Attorney General Bondi, calls on the DOJ to enforce federal law and prevent states like Washington from implementing harmful gas bans in violation of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act.

AGC of Washington, Washington Food Industry Association, Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Washington, Northwest Wall and Ceiling Contractors Association, NW Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association and Washington  Air Conditioning Contractors Association all joined BIAW in signing the letter. 

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