Profile: Meet Professor Loren Lutzenhiser

Loren Lutzenhiser, Ph.D
Professor of Urban Studies and Planning

B.A. 1971 (sociology) University of Montana; M.A. 1976(sociology) University of Montana; Ph.D. 1988 (sociology) University ofCalifornia, Davis.

Dr. Lutzenhiser's teaching interests include environmentalpolicy and practice, energy behavior and climate, technological change, urbanenvironmental sustainability, and social research methods. His own researchfocuses on the environmental impacts of socio-technical systems, particularlyhow urban energy/resource use is linked to global environmental change. Particularstudies have considered variations across households in energy consumptionpractices, how energy-using goods are procured by government agencies, howcommercial real estate markets work to develop both poorly-performing andenvironmentally exceptional buildings, and how the "greening" ofbusiness, may (or may not) be influenced by local sustainability movements andbusiness actors. He recently completed amajor study for the California Energy Commission reporting on the behavior ofhouseholds, businesses and governments in the aftermath of that state's 2001electricity deregulation crisis. He iscurrently exploring the relationships between household natural gas,electricity, gasoline, and water usage.

Lutzenhiser is widely published in social science, policy,and applied journals. Prior to entering academia, he worked as a localanti-poverty program director and regional social program planner. He is a pastchair of the American Sociological Association's Section on Environment andTechnology.

Professor Lutzenhiser's contact information:

 Office: Urban Center,room 370S

 Phone: (503) 725.8743

 E-mail: llutz@pdx.edu