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
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Please tune in today, Friday, December 19th, at 2 pm EST, for a conversation with Anna Zivarts aka @nondriver.bsky.social about her new venture, along with Ruth Rosas, the Non-Drivers Alliance, and for a recap of the 2025 Week Without Driving Challenge
youtu.be/5fcBpdyrS0c
youtu.be/5fcBpdyrS0c
EPISODE 321 ANNA ZIVARTS: Week Without Driving Challenge Recap (2025)
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
December 19, 2025 at 4:33 PM
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Please tune in today, Friday, December 19th, at 2 pm EST, for a conversation with Anna Zivarts aka @nondriver.bsky.social about her new venture, along with Ruth Rosas, the Non-Drivers Alliance, and for a recap of the 2025 Week Without Driving Challenge
youtu.be/5fcBpdyrS0c
youtu.be/5fcBpdyrS0c
Reposted by Sightline Institute
"WA’s climate ambitions hang on poles and wires. Electric transmission lines make it possible to carry cheap, efficient, reliable power from solar fields in CA or wind farms in MT to the people in Washington who rely on it every day"
#WALeg
@Sightline.org
www.sightline.org/2025/12/18/h...
#WALeg
@Sightline.org
www.sightline.org/2025/12/18/h...
How the 2026 Washington Legislature Can Right-Size the Power Grid | Sightline Institute
A transmission authority, plus three other ideas, to speed development of the transmission lines Washingtonians needed yesterday.
www.sightline.org
December 18, 2025 at 7:18 PM
"WA’s climate ambitions hang on poles and wires. Electric transmission lines make it possible to carry cheap, efficient, reliable power from solar fields in CA or wind farms in MT to the people in Washington who rely on it every day"
#WALeg
@Sightline.org
www.sightline.org/2025/12/18/h...
#WALeg
@Sightline.org
www.sightline.org/2025/12/18/h...
Reposted by Sightline Institute
Excited to add @sightline.org to this coalition letter declaring it "unacceptable that it costs up to five times more in the United States than in Europe to build and maintain an elevator" & advancing specific solutions.
Your org should probably join too! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Your org should probably join too! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
December 18, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Excited to add @sightline.org to this coalition letter declaring it "unacceptable that it costs up to five times more in the United States than in Europe to build and maintain an elevator" & advancing specific solutions.
Your org should probably join too! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Your org should probably join too! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
WA needs poles and wires in the ground, fast.
State leaders can step up by creating a transmission authority, removing redundancies in project approval processes, focusing enviro analysis, and other recs from @emilymoore.bsky.social and @ktrumbull.bsky.social
State leaders can step up by creating a transmission authority, removing redundancies in project approval processes, focusing enviro analysis, and other recs from @emilymoore.bsky.social and @ktrumbull.bsky.social
How the 2026 Washington Legislature Can Right-Size the Power Grid | Sightline Institute
A transmission authority, plus three other ideas, to speed development of the transmission lines Washingtonians needed yesterday.
www.sightline.org
December 18, 2025 at 4:55 PM
WA needs poles and wires in the ground, fast.
State leaders can step up by creating a transmission authority, removing redundancies in project approval processes, focusing enviro analysis, and other recs from @emilymoore.bsky.social and @ktrumbull.bsky.social
State leaders can step up by creating a transmission authority, removing redundancies in project approval processes, focusing enviro analysis, and other recs from @emilymoore.bsky.social and @ktrumbull.bsky.social
Reposted by Sightline Institute
“Shaky political ‘science’ misses mark on Ranked Choice Voting”
In this study, we assess the quality/credibility of 41 different studies on RCV. A number of misleading studies, including by well-known political scientists, fall well short of real "science"
democracysos.substack.com/p/shaky-poli...
In this study, we assess the quality/credibility of 41 different studies on RCV. A number of misleading studies, including by well-known political scientists, fall well short of real "science"
democracysos.substack.com/p/shaky-poli...
Shaky political “science” misses mark on ranked choice voting
What does political science and social science research say about ranked choice voting? A number of misleading studies fall well short of real science
democracysos.substack.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:47 PM
“Shaky political ‘science’ misses mark on Ranked Choice Voting”
In this study, we assess the quality/credibility of 41 different studies on RCV. A number of misleading studies, including by well-known political scientists, fall well short of real "science"
democracysos.substack.com/p/shaky-poli...
In this study, we assess the quality/credibility of 41 different studies on RCV. A number of misleading studies, including by well-known political scientists, fall well short of real "science"
democracysos.substack.com/p/shaky-poli...
Reposted by Sightline Institute
Climate change primed Washington state for historic flooding
Climate change primed Washington state for historic flooding
Low snowpack, leftover burn scars, and abnormally warm temperatures are supercharging the atmospheric rivers hitting the Pacific Northwest.
dlvr.it
December 16, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Climate change primed Washington state for historic flooding
Why has Portland been able to do what San Francisco can’t?
Bc of years of "big tent" organizing by @pnwelcome.bsky.social @1000oregon.bsky.social + lots more.
by @xianleonard.bsky.social for @sfchronicle.com
Bc of years of "big tent" organizing by @pnwelcome.bsky.social @1000oregon.bsky.social + lots more.
by @xianleonard.bsky.social for @sfchronicle.com
This liberal city sees San Francisco as a role model — for home building failure
While prices for starter homes in San Francisco have surged, Portland has seemingly found the key to produce “missing middle” houses for first-time buyers.
www.sfchronicle.com
December 16, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Why has Portland been able to do what San Francisco can’t?
Bc of years of "big tent" organizing by @pnwelcome.bsky.social @1000oregon.bsky.social + lots more.
by @xianleonard.bsky.social for @sfchronicle.com
Bc of years of "big tent" organizing by @pnwelcome.bsky.social @1000oregon.bsky.social + lots more.
by @xianleonard.bsky.social for @sfchronicle.com
The math problem has a simple solution: #RankedChoiceVoting in a top-two primary: www.sightline.org/2025/11/11/w...
California Dems confront a star-power vacuum — and a big math problem
California Dems confront a star-power vacuum — and a big math problem
The prospect of a humiliating pile-up in the governor's race has put the state’s political class increasingly on edge.
dlvr.it
December 15, 2025 at 5:18 PM
The math problem has a simple solution: #RankedChoiceVoting in a top-two primary: www.sightline.org/2025/11/11/w...
Reposted by Sightline Institute
Climate migration is difficult to study, and even harder to predict, because a complex constellation of factors guides the decision to pick up and move. But some experts say a historic population shift has already begun, and Western Washington should start preparing now to become a “climate haven.”
Is the Pacific Northwest ready for a wave of climate migration?
www.kuow.org
December 10, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Climate migration is difficult to study, and even harder to predict, because a complex constellation of factors guides the decision to pick up and move. But some experts say a historic population shift has already begun, and Western Washington should start preparing now to become a “climate haven.”
Reposted by Sightline Institute
Evacuations were underway on Thursday as flooding intensified in the Pacific Northwest as the region endured what could be some of its worst flooding in decades. nyti.ms/44Y4Rcb
December 11, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Evacuations were underway on Thursday as flooding intensified in the Pacific Northwest as the region endured what could be some of its worst flooding in decades. nyti.ms/44Y4Rcb
Q: What’s no taller than a grown tree and could actually get built this decade?
A: Neighborhood-scale apartments.
A: Neighborhood-scale apartments.
To Build Fast, Think Small | Sightline Institute
How re-legalizing small apartment buildings would spur the homes city dwellers need now.
www.sightline.org
December 12, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Q: What’s no taller than a grown tree and could actually get built this decade?
A: Neighborhood-scale apartments.
A: Neighborhood-scale apartments.
A reminder that hydrogen is a bad bet.
December 11, 2025 at 9:11 PM
A reminder that hydrogen is a bad bet.
Reposted by Sightline Institute
From Jonathan Shorman: Across the United States, voting by mail faces a moment of uncertainty ahead of the midterm elections next year.
https://stateline.org/2025/12/09/voting-by-mail-faces-uncertain-moment-ahead-of-midterm-elections/
https://stateline.org/2025/12/09/voting-by-mail-faces-uncertain-moment-ahead-of-midterm-elections/
Voting by mail faces uncertain moment ahead of midterm elections • Stateline
Derrin Robinson has worked in Oregon elections for more than 30 years, long enough to remember when voters in the state cast their ballots at physical polling sites instead of by mail. As the nonpartisan clerk of Harney County, a vast, rural expanse larger than Massachusetts, Robinson oversees elections with about 6,000 registered voters. Oregon […]
stateline.org
December 9, 2025 at 2:20 PM
From Jonathan Shorman: Across the United States, voting by mail faces a moment of uncertainty ahead of the midterm elections next year.
https://stateline.org/2025/12/09/voting-by-mail-faces-uncertain-moment-ahead-of-midterm-elections/
https://stateline.org/2025/12/09/voting-by-mail-faces-uncertain-moment-ahead-of-midterm-elections/
Reposted by Sightline Institute
Single stair code changes coming to @cityofvancouver.bsky.social council today.
It’s been several years of work getting to this point.
It’s not everything that I’d want but it’s a good first step, with external single stairs and low/mid rise scissor stairs as entirely new housing options.
It’s been several years of work getting to this point.
It’s not everything that I’d want but it’s a good first step, with external single stairs and low/mid rise scissor stairs as entirely new housing options.
December 10, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Single stair code changes coming to @cityofvancouver.bsky.social council today.
It’s been several years of work getting to this point.
It’s not everything that I’d want but it’s a good first step, with external single stairs and low/mid rise scissor stairs as entirely new housing options.
It’s been several years of work getting to this point.
It’s not everything that I’d want but it’s a good first step, with external single stairs and low/mid rise scissor stairs as entirely new housing options.
Reposted by Sightline Institute
this is why we need affordable elevators, single stair codes, and development reform that will faciltate small-plexes!
@alexis4seattle.bsky.social @staterepjuliareed.bsky.social @davina425.bsky.social
@alexis4seattle.bsky.social @staterepjuliareed.bsky.social @davina425.bsky.social
Couple Hikes Mount Si to Train for Townhome Stairs: tinyurl.com/4a7f2yt2
December 10, 2025 at 2:33 AM
this is why we need affordable elevators, single stair codes, and development reform that will faciltate small-plexes!
@alexis4seattle.bsky.social @staterepjuliareed.bsky.social @davina425.bsky.social
@alexis4seattle.bsky.social @staterepjuliareed.bsky.social @davina425.bsky.social
Reposted by Sightline Institute
If you're wondering why @sightline.org is working to legalize the quirky housing type known as mobile dwelling units, please watch this presentation by @citizen-cate.bsky.social.
Nothing beats MDUs for flexible, low-cost homes for people in all kinds of life situations.
tvw.org/video/house-...
Nothing beats MDUs for flexible, low-cost homes for people in all kinds of life situations.
tvw.org/video/house-...
December 10, 2025 at 1:00 AM
If you're wondering why @sightline.org is working to legalize the quirky housing type known as mobile dwelling units, please watch this presentation by @citizen-cate.bsky.social.
Nothing beats MDUs for flexible, low-cost homes for people in all kinds of life situations.
tvw.org/video/house-...
Nothing beats MDUs for flexible, low-cost homes for people in all kinds of life situations.
tvw.org/video/house-...
Reposted by Sightline Institute
Last year, a New York man ran for Congress as a Democrat in Alaska... from prison... and got 3,500 votes. AK, CA, and WA each let any candidate claim any party on the ballot, but they *don’t* allow parties to claim their nominees.
A Two-Word Fix for Alaska’s Ballot Confusion | Sightline Institute
Letting parties tag their nominees would make Alaska’s elections clearer, fairer, and harder to hijack by disingenuous candidates.
www.sightline.org
November 13, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Last year, a New York man ran for Congress as a Democrat in Alaska... from prison... and got 3,500 votes. AK, CA, and WA each let any candidate claim any party on the ballot, but they *don’t* allow parties to claim their nominees.
Build up your 'brary with $6.99 e-books from @islandpress.bsky.social until Dec. 19.
Some of our favorites from the Sightline-verse:
Building for People: Designing Livable, Affordable, Low-Carbon Communities by @holz-bau.bsky.social
Some of our favorites from the Sightline-verse:
Building for People: Designing Livable, Affordable, Low-Carbon Communities by @holz-bau.bsky.social
December 8, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Build up your 'brary with $6.99 e-books from @islandpress.bsky.social until Dec. 19.
Some of our favorites from the Sightline-verse:
Building for People: Designing Livable, Affordable, Low-Carbon Communities by @holz-bau.bsky.social
Some of our favorites from the Sightline-verse:
Building for People: Designing Livable, Affordable, Low-Carbon Communities by @holz-bau.bsky.social
Reposted by Sightline Institute
People who live in countries with #ProportionalRepresentation report being happier than those who don’t.
This isn't a new development either. We have been saying this since 2021! Read more: rankthevote.us/countries-wi...
This isn't a new development either. We have been saying this since 2021! Read more: rankthevote.us/countries-wi...
Countries With Proportional Representation Tend to Report Higher Levels of Happiness - Rank The Vote
rankthevote.us
December 8, 2025 at 8:50 PM
People who live in countries with #ProportionalRepresentation report being happier than those who don’t.
This isn't a new development either. We have been saying this since 2021! Read more: rankthevote.us/countries-wi...
This isn't a new development either. We have been saying this since 2021! Read more: rankthevote.us/countries-wi...
This is why CA needs ranked top two. They're susceptible to the same misfire glitch as WA state: www.sightline.org/2025/11/11/w...
From @politicalpolls.bsky.social⬇️
From @politicalpolls.bsky.social⬇️
December 5, 2025 at 5:45 PM
This is why CA needs ranked top two. They're susceptible to the same misfire glitch as WA state: www.sightline.org/2025/11/11/w...
From @politicalpolls.bsky.social⬇️
From @politicalpolls.bsky.social⬇️
Upgrading houses, condos, and apartments with efficient appliances, solar panels, and batteries could create enough capacity to meet the rising electricity demand of large data centers over the next five years. @rewiringamerica.bsky.social
Homegrown Energy jobs | Rewiring America
Upgrading home appliances, solar, and storage can meet rising data center demand while creating up to a million local jobs each year nationwide.
www.rewiringamerica.org
December 5, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Upgrading houses, condos, and apartments with efficient appliances, solar panels, and batteries could create enough capacity to meet the rising electricity demand of large data centers over the next five years. @rewiringamerica.bsky.social
it passed unanimously last night! 🎊
- 3-4 story apartments will be more widely legal, esp. on smaller lots in neighborhoods already served by roads/pipes
- builders will have new incentives for accessible & affordable homes
- OR will have the first statewide model zoning code in the nation
- 3-4 story apartments will be more widely legal, esp. on smaller lots in neighborhoods already served by roads/pipes
- builders will have new incentives for accessible & affordable homes
- OR will have the first statewide model zoning code in the nation
Today, 2.5 years after an OR bill promised “transformational” changes to state housing policy, the new OHNA rules get a vote.
@andersem.bsky.social breaks down what’s inside the blueprint: www.sightline.org/2025/12/03/n...
@andersem.bsky.social breaks down what’s inside the blueprint: www.sightline.org/2025/12/03/n...
New Oregon Rules Will Re-Legalize Neighborhood Apartments | Sightline Institute
Over time, the state zoning standards make space for tens of thousands more homes in Oregon cities.
www.sightline.org
December 5, 2025 at 3:04 PM
it passed unanimously last night! 🎊
- 3-4 story apartments will be more widely legal, esp. on smaller lots in neighborhoods already served by roads/pipes
- builders will have new incentives for accessible & affordable homes
- OR will have the first statewide model zoning code in the nation
- 3-4 story apartments will be more widely legal, esp. on smaller lots in neighborhoods already served by roads/pipes
- builders will have new incentives for accessible & affordable homes
- OR will have the first statewide model zoning code in the nation
Reposted by Sightline Institute
After Portland made improvements in 2024 (FUNDED, finally www.sightline.org/2024/10/28/t...), the program is starting to work as intended. New data shows projects are no longer underbuilding to avoid the mandate:
November 25, 2025 at 4:51 PM
After Portland made improvements in 2024 (FUNDED, finally www.sightline.org/2024/10/28/t...), the program is starting to work as intended. New data shows projects are no longer underbuilding to avoid the mandate: