The Washington House of Representatives passed a bill Tuesday to encourage all-electric heating designs in publicly owned or leased facilities.

The Democrat-controlled House approved House Bill 1280 by a 57-39 party-line vote. It is now in the Senate Environmental, Energy & Technology Committee.

When publicly owned or leased facilities are built or renovated, the bill would require that an all-electric design — one that would not use fossil fuels for heating — be considered as an option.

Rep. Alex Ramel (middle) is chief sponsor of a bill that would require publicly owned or leased facilities to consider implementing an all-electric heating design during construction or renovations. | State of Washington

“House Bill 1280 takes one small but important step in that direction,” said Rep. Alex Ramel (D), the bill’s chief sponsor. He noted that an all-electric design was installed during the renovation of an elementary school in his hometown of Bellingham — the only time that he is sure this has been done in Washington.

Only a few people from state agencies and energy-conservation organizations testified at two February hearings, all in support of the bill. No one testified against it. Supporters contended the bill would not add any significant costs to new or renovated buildings. They also said all-electric heating systems are cost-efficient and that installing such systems would head off potential later retrofits.

“This will encourage architects to design buildings free of fossil fuels,” Julie Blazek of HKP Architects said at a Feb. 17 hearing. During a Feb. 19 Capital Budget Committee vote, committee Chair Steve Tharinger (D) said: “This does provide some data and guidance” in comparing building designs.

However, Rep. Mary Dye (R) argued that all-electric heating systems are less efficient and reliable than fossil fuel systems, leading to extra costs for taxpayers footing the operating bills. Rep. Mike Steele (R) said all-electric buildings would put extra strains on the Northwest power grid.