Most people have a basic concept of energy management through monthly utility bills. Stephanie Lenhart, however, brings more than two decades of experience working at the intersections of energy policy and environmental governance across the American West. From state government positions to private consulting and academic research, she possesses an extensive understanding of the institutions and systems that manage energy and protect the environment. 

Lenhart is an associate professor in the School of Public Service and the School of the Environment and is affiliated with the Energy Policy Institute at Boise State. Her courses focus on environmental and energy policy governance. Now, she’s extending her expertise in environmental governance for I-CREWS, Idaho’s Community-engaged Resilience for Energy-Water Systems.

Primarily funded by the National Science Foundation, I-CREWS is a multidisciplinary project that studies and addresses how changes, such as from population, technology and weather, affect Idaho’s energy-water systems. I-CREWS connects Boise State researchers with colleagues from multiple universities, colleges and tribal nations to understand resource trends and design more resilient approaches for energy-water systems. However, to meet the needs of unique communities, many levels of administration and policy must be considered — this is where Lenhart comes in.

Lenhart’s research explores how new technologies are integrated into the existing institutions and policies that manage energy across the Pacific Northwest. Her governance expertise, in collaboration with I-CREWS’s partners, makes her well-suited to contribute to the development of insights that inform Idaho communities about anticipated pressures and potential ways to adapt.

Along with her environmental governance role, Lenhart serves as co-investigator with Lejo Flores and Irene Cionni, recent seed-award recipients, studying Idaho’s compound energy drought (extended periods with minimal wind and solar energy).  She is also the program lead for Boise State’s new Master of Environmental Management and faculty coordinator for the Zena Creek Ranch Environmental Field School, where undergraduate and graduate students explore land, water and energy sustainability through inquiry-based learning. 

An advocate for her field, Lenhart’s commitment to community drives her work. “It’s such a critical time in how we manage the connection between energy and water resources,” she said. “New technologies, increasing demands for power, and shifts in weather are restructuring the system in really profound ways that have direct implications for affordability and reliability… I feel really fortunate to be working in an area that’s so dynamic.”

This publication was made possible by the NSF Idaho EPSCoR Program and by the National Science Foundation under award number No. OIA-2242769.