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Sightline's Climate Policy Project

Our latest primers, fact sheets, and graphics on how to craft fair, effective climate policy for the Northwest and western states.

Cloudy Sky Over Road - 150In 2008, Sightline researchers are working closely with the Western Climate Initiative and other efforts to help craft a fair, effective climate policy for the Northwest and western states and provinces. We're investigating questions ranging from which type of cap-and-trade system is fairest to consumers to how to include transportation emissions in a cap-and-trade system.

On this page you'll find our latest analyses, primers, and graphics on these topics and more. Our researchers Clark Williams-Derry and Eric de Place are among the region's leading experts on cap and trade and are available for media interviews and questions. Contact clark@sightline.org or eric@sightine.org. For general questions, contact Anna Fahey at anna@sightline.org .

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Memos related to the Western Climate Initiative's regional cap-and-trade proposal


Fact sheet, 5/16/008
FAQs: Cap and Trade in the West
The basics on cap and trade and how we can do it regionally.

Analysis, 5/13/200
Comments on the Western Climate Initiative's Economic Analysis -- Summary
Sightline looks at WCI's model for economic implications of climate policy options (pdf, 2 pages).

Analysis, 5/13/200
Comments on the Western Climate Initiative's Economic Analysis Model
Sightline looks at WCI's model for economic implications of climate policy options (pdf, 8 pages).

Commentary by Clark Williams-Derry 5/9/008
Utilities and Auctions: There is no free power lunch
Why giving utilities free emissions permits has the potential to backfire.

Research backgrounder, 4/8/008
Cap and Trade and Consumer Fairness (pdf, 11 pages)
An analysis of the debate over auctioning permits versus giving them away.

Memorandum, 2/8/008
Comments on WCI Cap-and-Trade Options (pdf, 13 pages)
Sightline's take on many issues under consideration for a western states cap-and-trade program.

Fact sheet 1/9/2008
Transportation Fuels and Cap and Trade
A Q&A on how transportation fuels can be covered in a cap-and-trade system such as the Western Climate Initiative's proposal, and why it matters.

General Primers, Fact Sheets, Reports

Commentary, updated weekly
Climate Fairness -- blog series
This series of posts by Alan Durning explores how to make climate policy fair to working families and low-income folks.

Report, 4/2008
Braking News: Gas Consumption Goes Into Reverse
The Northwest states are outpacing the nation in cutting back on per-person gasoline use--11 percent since 1999.

Fact Sheet, 9/26/2007
Climate Pricing 101
Cap and trade, cap and share, carbon taxes: Everyone from presidential candidates to business leaders is talking about climate policy. How do the different options stack up?

Report, 10/04/2007
The Climate Impact of New Highway Lanes
Sightline does the numbers on the significant climate impact of adding new highway lanes.

Fact Sheet, 6/26/2007
How the Northwest Ranks on Climate Policy (pdf, 2 pages)
How Northwest regions and California compare on climate targets, renewable energy standards, and more.


Maps and Graphics


energy-counter-07-50w.jpgCounter, 02/05/2009
Up in Smoke: The 2008 Energy Counter
A real-time tally of the economic impacts of our energy habit.

How Low-Carbon Can You Go: The Transportation Ranking
Chart
02/01/2008
How Low-Carbon Can You Go: The Transportation Ranking


Sightline does the math on the most climate-friendly way to travel. We chart CO2 emissions by transportation mode, from an SUV to a plane to a bus. Also shows differences based on occupancy (i.e. full bus vs. half-full bus).
CO2 Emissions from Fossil Fuels by Sector
Chart
10/29/2007
CO2 Emissions from Fossil Fuels by Sector


In the Northwest states, 53 percent of our CO2 emissions from fossil fuels stem from transportation uses including commute traffic, freight, and planes. This chart series shows emissions for the Northwest states, the US West, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
United States of Climate Change - the 50 States
Map
08/01/2007
United States of Climate Change - the 50 States


US greenhouse gas emissions from energy and their nation equivalents. Shown state by state.
Temperature Increase in Cascadia 1950-2003 (map)
Map
06/12/2007
Temperature Increase in Cascadia 1950-2003 (map)


Weather stations throughout the Northwest states show evidence of a long-term warming trend.
Per Capita Gasoline Consumption in BC and the NW
Chart
06/12/2007
Per Capita Gasoline Consumption in BC and the NW


Per-person gasoline consumption in the Northwest states is at its lowest level since 1967—but British Columbians still use much less.
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