Cascadia: Strong Communities, a Green Economy, a Healthy Environment
Sightline Institute’s nonpartisan, nonprofit research and policy solutions help the region reconcile people, place, and prosperity.
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Practical, research-based policy solutions
Case-making and arguments to advance progress
Strategies for unusual coalitions to win
Resources for journalists, decision-makers and advocates
Latest Research
All Sightline Institute research is available to you to cite, use, and share, per our free use policy.
Homes on Wheels Are Filling a Big Gap in Portland
Three personal stories show how these small, affordable, flexible homes provide big solutions for families.
How Cascadia Can Maintain Its Heat Pump Momentum
Three tools to help the region’s low-income families afford more efficient heating and cooling systems—even as public dollars dry up.
Who Owns a Utility Matters Less for Climate Than the Rules They Play By
Advocates can focus on fast-tracking policies that are already working well elsewhere.
Seattleites Keep Their Model Campaign Finance Reform Program
City voters renewed funding for their iconic democracy vouchers.
Oregon Decides It Was a Mistake to Let Cities Ban Homes
Two new bipartisan laws suggest that for Oregonians to afford to live where and how they want, state-level zoning works better.
How Cascadia Can Maintain Its Heat Pump Momentum
Three tools to help the region’s low-income families afford more efficient heating and cooling systems—even as public dollars dry up.
Who Owns a Utility Matters Less for Climate Than the Rules They Play By
Advocates can focus on fast-tracking policies that are already working well elsewhere.
The 1,083-Page Environmental Assessment That Ignores Climate Change and Tribes
The Northwest needs a better way to evaluate power line projects.
Northwest Data Centers: A Climate Test and Potential Opportunity
A Sightline report finds that—with the right policies—the region could harness data center demand for clean power to decarbonize the broader economy.
Ending Subsidies for New Gas Hook-Ups Can Save Cascadians Millions
Line extension allowances are on their way out, and regulators can finish the job.
Seattleites Keep Their Model Campaign Finance Reform Program
City voters renewed funding for their iconic democracy vouchers.
Seattle’s Democracy Vouchers Are Popular Across the Political Spectrum
With candidates of all political stripes taking advantage of the city’s small-dollar campaign program, Seattleites themselves become the real winners.
For Juneau, There’s a Better Way than Cascade Voting
With election reform on the horizon in Alaska’s capital city, single transferable vote is a safe and tested route for multi-winner ranked elections.
Democracy Vouchers Are a Bargain
August’s levy renewal offers Seattleites proven benefits to democracy for a low price.
In Seattle Elections, Dark Money Follows Competition, Not Democracy Vouchers
Research finds independent spending is up in cities with and without public financing for local campaigns—and democracy vouchers are delivering on their people power promise.
Four Ways Context Matters for Wildfire News Coverage
Reporters can help people see the forest, even when the trees are on fire.
Blazing a Trail: The Vital Role of Wildfire Hazard Maps
Sophisticated and high-resolution maps such as Oregon’s are essential tools for thriving in a fiery future.
The Best Wildfire Solution We’re Not Using
Three ways to curb the sprawl that traps us on a wildfire treadmill.
Homes on Wheels Are Filling a Big Gap in Portland
Three personal stories show how these small, affordable, flexible homes provide big solutions for families.
Oregon Decides It Was a Mistake to Let Cities Ban Homes
Two new bipartisan laws suggest that for Oregonians to afford to live where and how they want, state-level zoning works better.
Oregon’s Zoning Reforms Are Working—But They Need Some Upgrades
Six years after a monumental rezone, Gov. Kotek’s HB 2138 will fill the gaps to more fully legalize starter homes.
How to Talk About Parking Reform—and Win
Our road-tested messaging guide to gain more great neighborhoods and the homes we need, and to kick excess asphalt to the curb.
How Washington State Won Parking Reform
Lessons and strategies for parking flexibility advocates elsewhere.
Washington Takes Statewide Zoning Reform to the Next Level
Lawmakers just passed groundbreaking bills on parking, TOD, and more.
Featured project
Parking Reform 101 | Research and resources from the growing movement to free communities from costly parking mandates.
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Learning to Live with Wildfires | Strategies to protect communities and reduce long-term fire risk.
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