Economy & Jobs
Here you'll find all of Sightline's research and publications on how northwesterners are faring economically. Also read Sightline's series on an Economic Turnaround and Green-Collar Jobs.
Here's a catalog of Sightline's research--including books, reports, and articles--on economic security, and how to better measure how average northwesterners are faring. Also read Sightline's series on an Economic Turnaround and Green-Collar Jobs.
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03/21/2012
Report
2012 Update: Grading Economics Textbooks on Climate Change
This spring marks the release of new editions of introductory economics textbooks, so it’s a good time to update our 2010 review of the treatment of climate change in economics textbooks. As in 2010, some hit the mark while others are wildly misleading, but we’re happy to say that there’s plenty of good news: about half of the books improved their treatment of climate change. -
11/07/2010
Report
Grading Economics Textbooks on Climate Change
Sightline's report reviews 16 of the most popular economics textbooks for the treatment of climate change. Grades came in across the board, but 5 textbooks fell into the "not recommended" category. Only one book received a flat-out F. -
08/07/2010
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What Is Performance Contracting?
Performance contracting is a time-tested tool used by local governments to increase energy efficiency, while guaranteeing energy savings are enough to cover the costs of the project. By tying contractor payments to real energy savings, there's a strong incentive to do projects that yield real results. -
06/30/2010
Report
Shifting Gears: Despite struggling economy, NW gasoline use ticks up
Despite a sputtering economy, Northwest drivers used more gasoline in 2009, reversing a decade-long trend of declining personal gas consumption. British Columbia saw a startling 10 percent increase in per-capita gasoline consumption. -
03/31/2010
Article by Sightline
Wish We Had BC's Political System in US!
The undemocratic design of the U.S. Senate is a huge obstacle to progress in America's Northwest where I live. How did the Senate get set up in the first place? -
03/02/2010
Fact sheet
What Is An Energy Concierge?
Home and business owners looking to make energy efficiency upgrades are often confronted with a jungle of red tape; coordinating between banks, auditors, contractors, and utilities is daunting. An energy concierge program simplifies the process, giving building owners a single point of contact to complete their energy retrofits. -
02/04/2010
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A Better BETC (PDF)
Sightline's recommendations for improving Oregon's Business Energy Tax Credit include keeping BETC strong, extending the sunset of credits, and building in accountability. -
09/18/2009
Video
Our Chance at a Clean, Green Economy
In the wake of the economic crisis and the historic election, Sightline's executive director talks about the unique opportunity facing Cascadia. One path to economic recovery? Green-collar jobs and efficient, effective climate policy that is fair to all. -
07/08/2009
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Podcast: Putting a Price on Carbon
Sightline's Clark Williams-Derry explains how putting a price on carbon will help us reduce energy consumption. By unhitching our economy from the fossil fuel roller coaster, we can create jobs in local communities, clean the air, and boost our economy. -
07/01/2009
Report
Easing Off the Gas: Northwesterners Using Less Gasoline
Total gasoline consumption in the Northwest states fell by 180 million gallons between 2007 and 2008. Per-capita use followed a decade-long trend of decline. The Northwest states are outpacing the rest of the nation by nearly 10 percent. -
06/29/2009
Report
Economic Insecurity: Tougher Conditions for the Middle Class
New census data shows one in six northwestern children live in poverty. Sightline's economic index reveals ordinary families have made virtually no progress in two decades. Oregon's families are especially feeling the pinch. -
03/18/2009
Report
Green-Collar Jobs: Realizing the Promise
Green-collar jobs—jobs dedicated to saving energy, producing renewable energy, or reducing pollution—can speed progress on two deeply rooted problems at once: easing our dependence on climate-warming fossil fuels and fostering lasting, broadly shared economic prosperity. -
03/16/2009
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Podcast: Energy Efficiency: The Low-Hanging Fruit
Sightline's Cascadia Scorecard energy indicator reveals that our region is lagging most in the area of energy use. Sightline's Clark Williams-Derry explains how tools we already have--like caulk guns, efficient cars, and high-efficiency furnaces--may be the technological "silver bullet" for reducing our energy consumption. -
01/21/2009
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Clean Utilities: How to Get There by Decoupling
By "decoupling" sales from earnings, utility regulators can write efficiency and security into utilities' bottom lines and turn them into vanguards of clean energy.