Researching the region’s most pressing sustainability challenges
We provide citizens and decision-makers with the policy analysis and practical tools they need to advance an economy and way of life that are environmentally sound, economically vibrant, and socially just.
Our Work
All Sightline Institute research is available to you to cite, use, and share, per our free use policy.
Parking Reform Alone Can Boost Homebuilding by 40 to 70 Percent
The History of Washington’s Wandering Election Day
A Magic Boost for Low-Turnout City Elections
Reintroducing: Your Local Library, a Critical Tool for Democracy
Election Reform Measures Lost; Election Reform Didn’t
Lessons for Washington State Leaders as Another US Oil Refinery Closes
The High Cost of Unplanned Oil Refinery Closures
New Report Charts Need for WA to Plan Ahead for Oil Refinery Closures
Northwest States Need to Build New Power Lines, Fast
Heat Pumps a Win-Win for Cascadia’s Now Hotter, Drier Summers
The Pipeline Giant Behind Keystone XL Wants to Expand a Major Fracked Gas Pipeline in Cascadia
Summer Recap: Changing Portland’s City Charter
When Cities Switch To One-Winner Council Districts, Housing Growth Plummets
No, Approval Voting Would Not Start Sooner than Ranked Choice Voting in Seattle
Compare Cheney and Murkowski’s Political Fates—It’s All About the Primary
Four Ways Context Matters for Wildfire News Coverage
Blazing a Trail: The Vital Role of Wildfire Hazard Maps
The Best Wildfire Solution We’re Not Using
Will Vancouver Grow as Fast as Its Suburbs?
How Can Cities Move the Needle on Community Land Trusts?
Eight Ingredients for a State-Level Zoning Reform
How to Tear Down the Invisible Walls in Your City’s Zoning Code
The Eight Deaths of Portland’s Residential Infill Project
Video: Housing Solutions Are Climate Solutions
Poll: Washington Voters Out Ahead Of Local Leaders On Zoning Reforms
Video: Zoning for All Kinds of Affordable Homes
Recipes for Successful Abundant Housing Communications
How to Tear Down the Invisible Walls in Your City’s Zoning Code
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Sightline news picks
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Cut through the noise and get the news you can use. Sightline editors—real people—hand-pick headlines from 150+ outlets to keep you on top of the stories shaping our region’s communities, economy, and environment. Reader favorite; formerly known as Sightline Daily.
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Issue insights from Sightline experts
Hear directly from our team of experts. They take you on a deeper dive into Sightline’s solutions, translating their latest analysis and sharing behind-the-scenes context for the research—as well as what to watch for next. Delivered about monthly.
Housing + Cities
Parking, zoning, sprawl, pollution, property rights, commutes, rents, and home prices—they all intersect where a legacy of exclusionary rules and regulations restrict homebuilding and fuel our housing shortage. Hear from Dan Bertolet, Catie Gould, Michael Andersen, and others exploring solutions for low-carbon, affordable, accessible cities and towns.
Climate + Energy
From electrification to decarbonization, carbon pricing to grid upgrades, Emily Moore and team decode the policy solutions to power a greener, more equitable, and robust economy for the region’s future.
Democracy + Elections
Protecting voter choice and voice with clear-eyed, independent analysis and models of success—Alan Durning, Jay Lee, Shannon Grimes, Al Vanderklipp, and others send you the latest elections solutions and opportunities, from Alaska to Oregon and inland to Montana and Idaho.Â
Farms + Forests
Where sustainability meets stewardship of our natural resources and food systems. Get dispatches from actual farms and forests—and the policy discussions that determine their health and climate impacts.
