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
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Strategies for unusual coalitions to win
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Latest Research
All Sightline Institute research is available to you to cite, use, and share, per our free use policy.
Fast, Affordable, Illegal
Homes on wheels are a lifeline for families, but zoning codes are still trying to keep them out.
Ranked Choice Voting, the Utah Way
How a conservative state piloted better elections for voters—lessons from four of the movement’s leaders.
Districts Won’t Truly Represent Deschutes County Residents
Proportional representation can better reflect voters’ views than arbitrary lines.
A Charter Commissioner’s Guide to Election Reform
Sightline asked former commissioners for their best advice. Here’s what they had to say.
Video: Fixing North America’s Big Elevator Problem
Our bans on smaller elevators block accessible homes, and our insistence on unique standards drives up prices.
Katie Wilson Can Be Seattle’s Climate Mayor for Renters
New programs for heat pumps, induction stoves, and plug-in solar would let renters reap the rewards of the clean energy revolution.
Katie Wilson Can Be Seattle’s Climate Mayor for Renters
New programs for heat pumps, induction stoves, and plug-in solar would let renters reap the rewards of the clean energy revolution.
How the 2026 Washington Legislature Can Right-Size the Power Grid
A transmission authority, plus three other ideas, to speed development of the transmission lines Washingtonians needed yesterday.
The High Cost of Slow Permitting
Sluggish approval of Cascadian transmission projects inflates electricity bills and strands renewable energy.
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.
Ranked Choice Voting, the Utah Way
How a conservative state piloted better elections for voters—lessons from four of the movement’s leaders.
Districts Won’t Truly Represent Deschutes County Residents
Proportional representation can better reflect voters’ views than arbitrary lines.
A Charter Commissioner’s Guide to Election Reform
Sightline asked former commissioners for their best advice. Here’s what they had to say.
A Two-Word Fix for Alaska’s Ballot Confusion
Letting parties tag their nominees would make Alaska’s elections clearer, fairer, and harder to hijack by disingenuous candidates.
No More 48-Candidate Races
Reasonable filing fees would help voters, parties, and serious contenders alike in Alaska and Portland.
Will an Electoral Glitch Send a Republican to Patty Murray’s Seat in 2028?
Washington’s top-two primary elections can misfire—but there’s an easy fix.
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.
Fast, Affordable, Illegal
Homes on wheels are a lifeline for families, but zoning codes are still trying to keep them out.
Video: Fixing North America’s Big Elevator Problem
Our bans on smaller elevators block accessible homes, and our insistence on unique standards drives up prices.
New Oregon Rules Will Re-Legalize Neighborhood Apartments
Over time, the state zoning standards make space for tens of thousands more homes in Oregon cities.
Portland’s Inclusionary Zoning Program Is Finally Performing, New Data Suggests
Because for the first time, the city fully funded it.
To Build Fast, Think Small
How re-legalizing small apartment buildings would spur the homes city dwellers need now.
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.
Featured project
Getting to a Clean Electric Grid | What it will take to build a cleaner, more affordable, more reliable energy future for Cascadia.
Learn moreFeatured resource
The Pro-Homes Messaging Toolkit | Win more affordable, connected, and thriving cities and towns with these research-backed and road-tested communication resources.
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