Stories for April 17, 2008

11-7: Northwesterners cut gasoline consumption 11 percent in seven years

Thu, Apr 17, 2 p.m.

A report released today by Sightline Institute shows that per-capita gasoline consumption in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho decreased for the seventh consecutive year in 2007. That's an 11 percent decrease since 1999.

Save the nukes!

Thu, Apr 17, noon

By Knute Berger

Abby Martin, the University of Washington graduate student who is trying to save the fascinating old Nuclear Reactor Building (now More Hall Annex) on campus, sends us this photo showing a new addition: a sign announcing the university's intention to demolish the structure. Martin has submitted an application nominating it for a National Historic Register listing. The modern architecture group Docomomo WeWa has added it to their list of endangered historic properties.

Power to the people! It's in the constitution

Thu, Apr 17, 5 a.m.

By Hugh Spitzer

A legal dispute about tinkering with Initiative 601's spending limits takes us back to the founding principles of the nation and the Washington constitution. Did you know Tim Eyman is a radical Whig?

Is Dino Rossi a moderate?

Thu, Apr 17, 5 a.m.

By Knute Berger

I wouldn't call him that, but the Republican candidate for governor has no need to run to the right to beat Christine Gregoire. Just as he did in the election cliffhanger of 2004, he can present himself as a comparatively moderate candidate, one in touch with the state's mainstream aspirations. He's starting to do that.