Climate + Energy
The Northwest’s Electric Grid Deserves an Upgrade
Up to 40 percent of the region’s grid could be suitable for reconductoring—for less than half the time and cost of building new transmission lines.
Four Ways Context Matters for Wildfire News Coverage
Reporters can help people see the forest, even when the trees are on fire.
Five Ways Ranked Choice Voting Could Help Climate Action
A functioning democracy is essential to tackling any large-scale issue.
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.
Washington State Leads in Climate-Friendly Building Policies—For Now
How two ballot initiatives would affect Washington’s clean building efforts and how the state can maintain its lead.
Washingtonians Will Soon Enjoy Cleaner Heating and Cooling Options
HB 2131, to allow thermal energy networks, unanimously passed in the 2024 legislative session. It’s a win for consumers, the climate, pipeline workers, and electric grids.
How Governor Inslee Can Rebalance Washington’s Utility Decarbonization Bill
HB 1589 favors investors over ratepayers—and state climate goals. A section veto would go a long way to fix the bill.