Sightline Institute
@sightline.org
Think tank cooking up nonpartisan policy research on housing, energy, climate, and democracy in Cascadia. 🧠🍳 Likes/follows ≠ endorsements.
Newsletters: sightline.org/signup
Newsletters: sightline.org/signup
Reposted by Sightline Institute
📢 BIG NEWS! Island Press is holding a #SimplyEverything sale! ALL our books are 50% off for ONE WEEK only! Find your next great read and save big! Use code HALF at checkout! 🌍📚 Islandpress.org/half
November 10, 2025 at 2:46 PM
📢 BIG NEWS! Island Press is holding a #SimplyEverything sale! ALL our books are 50% off for ONE WEEK only! Find your next great read and save big! Use code HALF at checkout! 🌍📚 Islandpress.org/half
In 2026, we’ll focus on turning these statewide policy victories into real homes on the ground—helping cities implement the new laws, removing remaining barriers to middle housing, and accelerating housing production across the region. Join us at sightline.org/fall-fund-drive
November 10, 2025 at 11:12 PM
In 2026, we’ll focus on turning these statewide policy victories into real homes on the ground—helping cities implement the new laws, removing remaining barriers to middle housing, and accelerating housing production across the region. Join us at sightline.org/fall-fund-drive
Reposted by Sightline Institute
Election staff say they were able to work with voters to remedy many of the rejections, caused both by existing signature requirements and a new year-of-birth requirement for mailed ballots added this year by the Montana Legislature.
Thousands of local election ballots rejected over Montana’s new year-of-birth requirement
Election staff say they were able to work with voters to remedy many of the rejections.
montanafreepress.org
November 7, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Election staff say they were able to work with voters to remedy many of the rejections, caused both by existing signature requirements and a new year-of-birth requirement for mailed ballots added this year by the Montana Legislature.
Reposted by Sightline Institute
Grateful to spend two days on the Klamath watching chinook, liberated by dam removal, return to streams from which they’d been precluded since the Titanic sank. Fish are everywhere, in numbers that stagger the mind & locations that biologists figured would take years to repopulate. Too beautiful.
November 5, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Grateful to spend two days on the Klamath watching chinook, liberated by dam removal, return to streams from which they’d been precluded since the Titanic sank. Fish are everywhere, in numbers that stagger the mind & locations that biologists figured would take years to repopulate. Too beautiful.
Reposted by Sightline Institute
In a rare move, one of the monopoly electric utilities operating in Oregon is asking state regulators for permission to lower residential customer rates in 2026. The reduction, though small at less than 1%, is the result of Idaho Power’s break with coal: oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/11/04/a...
An Oregon utility’s break with coal brings customer savings • Oregon Capital Chronicle
While the Trump administration pursues a coal revival, a utility in Oregon is saving money by giving up on the fossil fuel.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:23 PM
In a rare move, one of the monopoly electric utilities operating in Oregon is asking state regulators for permission to lower residential customer rates in 2026. The reduction, though small at less than 1%, is the result of Idaho Power’s break with coal: oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/11/04/a...
On last night's initial count, only 28.8% of #Idaho ballots were returned.
That’s because this year's local elections were off-cycle, rather than when voters pay the most attention and turn out in higher numbers in even-numbered “on” years aligned with higher-profile national races.
That’s because this year's local elections were off-cycle, rather than when voters pay the most attention and turn out in higher numbers in even-numbered “on” years aligned with higher-profile national races.
The Election Calendar Is Cheating Idaho and Montana Voters | Sightline Institute
But neighboring Wyoming offers a solution.
www.sightline.org
November 5, 2025 at 10:14 PM
On last night's initial count, only 28.8% of #Idaho ballots were returned.
That’s because this year's local elections were off-cycle, rather than when voters pay the most attention and turn out in higher numbers in even-numbered “on” years aligned with higher-profile national races.
That’s because this year's local elections were off-cycle, rather than when voters pay the most attention and turn out in higher numbers in even-numbered “on” years aligned with higher-profile national races.
New Sightliner alert! @ktrumbull.bsky.social previously worked with The Nature Conservancy and conducted policy research at the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation. She's a fan of hiking, skiing, and soccer (go Thorns). Welcome, Kelly!!! ⚽🔋🌲
November 5, 2025 at 7:50 PM
New Sightliner alert! @ktrumbull.bsky.social previously worked with The Nature Conservancy and conducted policy research at the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation. She's a fan of hiking, skiing, and soccer (go Thorns). Welcome, Kelly!!! ⚽🔋🌲
Together, we've secured more than two dozen state and local policy wins this year, steadily reshaping daily life for the better.
Sightline's Fall Fund Drive kicks off today, and your support can fuel the research, strategy, and case-making that turn ideas into action: sightline.org/donate
Sightline's Fall Fund Drive kicks off today, and your support can fuel the research, strategy, and case-making that turn ideas into action: sightline.org/donate
November 3, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Together, we've secured more than two dozen state and local policy wins this year, steadily reshaping daily life for the better.
Sightline's Fall Fund Drive kicks off today, and your support can fuel the research, strategy, and case-making that turn ideas into action: sightline.org/donate
Sightline's Fall Fund Drive kicks off today, and your support can fuel the research, strategy, and case-making that turn ideas into action: sightline.org/donate
WA voters: @washingtonstatestandard.com reports that the postal service may not postmark returned ballots on the day they’re collected. Your best bet is to use drop boxes, go to a voting center, or drop 'em at a post office.
Ballots for WA’s 2025 general election are due Tuesday. What you need to know • Washington State Standard
Voters across Washington will decide nearly 3,000 races in Tuesday’s election, including one statewide ballot measure.
washingtonstatestandard.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:35 PM
WA voters: @washingtonstatestandard.com reports that the postal service may not postmark returned ballots on the day they’re collected. Your best bet is to use drop boxes, go to a voting center, or drop 'em at a post office.
Reposted by Sightline Institute
Commentary: On rivers and in courtrooms, Alaska battles for land inside national parks and preserves, writes Nathaniel Herz for the Northern Journal. alaskabeacon.com/2025/10/31/o...
On rivers and in courtrooms, Alaska battles for land inside national parks and preserves | Alaska Beacon
Alaska land managers have been working to confirm the state's ownership of land under navigable rivers and lakes in national parks.
alaskabeacon.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Commentary: On rivers and in courtrooms, Alaska battles for land inside national parks and preserves, writes Nathaniel Herz for the Northern Journal. alaskabeacon.com/2025/10/31/o...
Reposted by Sightline Institute
Legalize it!
To people looking for a home today, writes @dannyoleksiuk.bsky.social, it matters a great deal whether that home is built next year, or in ten. Re-legalizing small apartment buildings throughout our cities would create more homes faster. www.sightline.org/2025/10/28/t...
To Build Fast, Think Small | Sightline Institute
How re-legalizing small apartment buildings would spur the homes city dwellers need now.
www.sightline.org
October 30, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Legalize it!
Yukoners are considering #RankedChoiceVoting for Assembly elections. How has it gone next-door in Alaska? www.sightline.org/2025/10/31/y...
Yukoners to Weigh in on Ranked Voting | Sightline Institute
Will Alaska's neighbor be the next to upgrade its elections?
www.sightline.org
October 31, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Yukoners are considering #RankedChoiceVoting for Assembly elections. How has it gone next-door in Alaska? www.sightline.org/2025/10/31/y...
Reposted by Sightline Institute
Chinook salmon have returned to the Klamath River in Oregon after being absent for more than a century. The announcement came roughly a year after the last of four major hydroelectric dams on the river was demolished.
A River Restoration in Oregon Gets Fast Results: The Salmon Swam Right Back
The fish had been missing from the headwaters of the Klamath River for more than a century. Just a year after the removal of a final dam, they’ve returned.
nyti.ms
October 29, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Chinook salmon have returned to the Klamath River in Oregon after being absent for more than a century. The announcement came roughly a year after the last of four major hydroelectric dams on the river was demolished.
Reposted by Sightline Institute
Re-legalizing small apartment buildings would spur the homes city dwellers need now. @Sightline.org www.sightline.org/2025/10/28/t...
To Build Fast, Think Small | Sightline Institute
How re-legalizing small apartment buildings would spur the homes city dwellers need now.
www.sightline.org
October 29, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Re-legalizing small apartment buildings would spur the homes city dwellers need now. @Sightline.org www.sightline.org/2025/10/28/t...
Reposted by Sightline Institute
Top-two primaries often leave thousands of voters without someone from their party on the general election ballot.
Washington State could address this by following Alaska’s lead, switching to top-four primaries and #RankedChoiceVoting general elections.
More from @sightline.org ⬇️
Washington State could address this by following Alaska’s lead, switching to top-four primaries and #RankedChoiceVoting general elections.
More from @sightline.org ⬇️
Once the most innovative in the nation, WA's top-two primary election model is showing cracks. @sightline.org www.sightline.org/2025/10/27/t...
Time to Tune Up Washington’s Primaries | Sightline Institute
Once the most innovative in the nation, the top-two model is showing cracks. Here’s how the Evergreen State can upgrade.
www.sightline.org
October 29, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Top-two primaries often leave thousands of voters without someone from their party on the general election ballot.
Washington State could address this by following Alaska’s lead, switching to top-four primaries and #RankedChoiceVoting general elections.
More from @sightline.org ⬇️
Washington State could address this by following Alaska’s lead, switching to top-four primaries and #RankedChoiceVoting general elections.
More from @sightline.org ⬇️
Reposted by Sightline Institute
I have lost so much pigment in what’s left of my hair arguing with planners to legalize these everywhere and someday I’m going to sip a glass of wine inside of one built as result of those efforts
Neighborhood-scale apartment buildings like these in Fairview have been all but illegal to build in #VancouverBC for nearly a century.
October 28, 2025 at 11:15 PM
I have lost so much pigment in what’s left of my hair arguing with planners to legalize these everywhere and someday I’m going to sip a glass of wine inside of one built as result of those efforts
To people looking for a home today, writes @dannyoleksiuk.bsky.social, it matters a great deal whether that home is built next year, or in ten. Re-legalizing small apartment buildings throughout our cities would create more homes faster. www.sightline.org/2025/10/28/t...
To Build Fast, Think Small | Sightline Institute
How re-legalizing small apartment buildings would spur the homes city dwellers need now.
www.sightline.org
October 28, 2025 at 5:37 PM
To people looking for a home today, writes @dannyoleksiuk.bsky.social, it matters a great deal whether that home is built next year, or in ten. Re-legalizing small apartment buildings throughout our cities would create more homes faster. www.sightline.org/2025/10/28/t...
Reposted by Sightline Institute
@dannyoleksiuk.bsky.social writes for @sightline.org about the potential to bring back small lot apartment buildings.
#singlestair code changes can unlock this option for the first time in a century. Let’s go!
www.sightline.org/2025/10/28/t...
#singlestair code changes can unlock this option for the first time in a century. Let’s go!
www.sightline.org/2025/10/28/t...
To Build Fast, Think Small | Sightline Institute
How re-legalizing small apartment buildings would spur the homes city dwellers need now.
www.sightline.org
October 28, 2025 at 4:31 PM
@dannyoleksiuk.bsky.social writes for @sightline.org about the potential to bring back small lot apartment buildings.
#singlestair code changes can unlock this option for the first time in a century. Let’s go!
www.sightline.org/2025/10/28/t...
#singlestair code changes can unlock this option for the first time in a century. Let’s go!
www.sightline.org/2025/10/28/t...
Once the most innovative in the nation, WA's top-two primary election model is showing cracks. @sightline.org www.sightline.org/2025/10/27/t...
Time to Tune Up Washington’s Primaries | Sightline Institute
Once the most innovative in the nation, the top-two model is showing cracks. Here’s how the Evergreen State can upgrade.
www.sightline.org
October 27, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Once the most innovative in the nation, WA's top-two primary election model is showing cracks. @sightline.org www.sightline.org/2025/10/27/t...
Reposted by Sightline Institute
Americans seeking cheaper housing are sprawling into Sun Belt flood and fire zones. Billion-dollar disasters doubled since 1980s.
Allow townhomes and small apartments in safer established areas so people can afford housing without risking disasters
Allow townhomes and small apartments in safer established areas so people can afford housing without risking disasters
An expanding bull’s-eye: How sprawl puts people in natural hazard zones and how smart growth can help - Smart Growth America
About us
buff.ly
October 24, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Americans seeking cheaper housing are sprawling into Sun Belt flood and fire zones. Billion-dollar disasters doubled since 1980s.
Allow townhomes and small apartments in safer established areas so people can afford housing without risking disasters
Allow townhomes and small apartments in safer established areas so people can afford housing without risking disasters
Huge W for #Bothell. More businesses, walkable blocks, lively neighborhoods > excess parking, pollution, and sprawl.
From open streets in Nashville, TN to safer crosswalks in Salina, KS, we're celebrating these #WalkabilityWins!
Have a Walkability Win? 💌 DM us or email social@americawalks.org
💫 Read more about the wins highlighted this month: buff.ly/3lFaaNS
Have a Walkability Win? 💌 DM us or email social@americawalks.org
💫 Read more about the wins highlighted this month: buff.ly/3lFaaNS
October 24, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Huge W for #Bothell. More businesses, walkable blocks, lively neighborhoods > excess parking, pollution, and sprawl.
Reposted by Sightline Institute
People in the Yakima River basin: We're short on water and have a difficult decision to make, are we going to cut from farms or cities?
Washington's Department of Ecology: Por que no los dos?
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Washington's Department of Ecology: Por que no los dos?
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
WA cities face unprecedented water cuts amid drought
Never before has drought forced the state to cut off water sources for entire cities.
www.seattletimes.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:16 PM
People in the Yakima River basin: We're short on water and have a difficult decision to make, are we going to cut from farms or cities?
Washington's Department of Ecology: Por que no los dos?
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Washington's Department of Ecology: Por que no los dos?
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Reposted by Sightline Institute
I’m at the launch of Oregon’s design competition for sunlight suite buildings - neighborhood-scale mulifamily buildings designed around one central staircase.
“This is one of those innovations whose time has come,” says Gil Kelley of @1000oregon.bsky.social.
“This is one of those innovations whose time has come,” says Gil Kelley of @1000oregon.bsky.social.
October 21, 2025 at 1:09 AM
I’m at the launch of Oregon’s design competition for sunlight suite buildings - neighborhood-scale mulifamily buildings designed around one central staircase.
“This is one of those innovations whose time has come,” says Gil Kelley of @1000oregon.bsky.social.
“This is one of those innovations whose time has come,” says Gil Kelley of @1000oregon.bsky.social.
Reposted by Sightline Institute
For thousands of years, Indigenous people stewarded their forests with fire.
Burns encourage more variation in the forest landscape, which leads to greater biodiversity — but there are hard limits.
Burns encourage more variation in the forest landscape, which leads to greater biodiversity — but there are hard limits.
How indigenous practices can help protect forests
The Post followed cultural burning practices, an Indigenous tradition now permitted under California law and used to help protect forests from wildfires.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 14, 2025 at 10:00 PM
For thousands of years, Indigenous people stewarded their forests with fire.
Burns encourage more variation in the forest landscape, which leads to greater biodiversity — but there are hard limits.
Burns encourage more variation in the forest landscape, which leads to greater biodiversity — but there are hard limits.