April 28–29, 2026 | Milwaukee, WI
CO2NNECT is a flagship convening series of the Great Plains Institute (GPI), bringing together leaders across technology, energy, finance, and policy to shape the next era of carbon management and clean-firm power. CO2NNECT has created trusted, solutions-oriented spaces where decision makers collaborate across sectors to accelerate the deployment of technologies that reduce emissions while ensuring reliable, affordable energy.
Since launching in 2018, each CO2NNECT convening explores a regional lens on the rapidly evolving clean energy economy—connecting developers, policy makers, investors, nonprofit organizations, labor leaders, and community partners to align priorities and enable near-term project deployment. Following the success of CO2NNECT 2025 in Austin, Texas, the 2026 convening will turn to the Midwest under the theme:
Building Clean-Firm Power Markets for Data-Driven Growth
As electricity demands surges—driven by AI, data centers, electrification, and industrial expansion—clean, dispatchable, low-carbon power is essential. CO2NNECT 2026 will focus on how market design, policy tools, and cross-sector partnerships can support scalable clean-firm deployment while protecting affordability and reliability.
Here’s what you can expect:
At CO2NNECT 2026, participants can expect interactive discussions and opportunities to engage in the following topics:
- Clean-firm power for a data-driven future: Explore how geothermal, natural gas with carbon capture and storage (CCS), storage-paired resources, and nuclear can meet rising digital and industrial loads while reducing emissions.
- Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs): Assess how EACs and related market instruments can incentivize clean-firm generation and provide transparent pathways for corporate buyers, including data centers, seeking verifiable decarbonization.
- Affordability and reliability in transition: Discuss how utilities, regulators, and investors can scale clean-firm capacity while maintaining grid reliability and protecting ratepayers.
- Data centers and load growth: Examine both the opportunities and infrastructure challenges associated with rapid load growth. Identify policies that align large new loads with clean, firm generation and regional decarbonization goals.
At a glance:
When: April 28–29, 2026 (noon to noon)
Where: Kimpton Journeyman Hotel
Milwaukee, WI
Hear what people said about our previous events:
"Great conference to discuss the future of carbon capture along with the associated labor and financial challenges. Plenty of thoughtful people and engaging conversations."
“The most inclusive, thought provoking and harmonious event! I enjoyed the experience!”
“CO2NNECT was an excellent opportunity to discover more ways to communicate about carbon capture and storage and to connect with other key players in the carbon management space.”
"The conference was very well organized, including the arrangement of content in order of topic-relatedness, relevancy, and timeliness, appreciated the well-thought-out schedule of breaks and meals, and loved that the conference was held on the same property as the rooms. Very well done!!"
Why Attend?
Attending CO2NNECT provides a unique opportunity to engage directly with senior leaders shaping clean-firm market design and infrastructure investment across the Midwest and beyond.
Participants will:
- Advance shared understanding of clean-firm policy and market frameworks
- Learn how EACs can catalyze market pull for low-carbon, dispatchable power
- Support long-term planning for infrastructure, reliability, and emissions reduction
- Build cross-sector relationships that enable near-term project deployment
This one-day program, staggered over two days, is intentionally designed to maximize meaningful dialogue and actionable outcomes among approximately 100 invited participants.
For event updates, email Bridget Callaghan at [email protected].
See the 2024 Agenda:
3:00 PM Guest Arrival & Check-In
4:00 PM Optional: Carbon Management Q&A
Confirmed Speakers:
- Nate Morris – Education and Outreach Manager, Great Plains Institute
- Emma Thomley – State and Regional Policy Specialist, Great Plains Institute
6:00 PM Welcome Reception
Confirmed Speakers:
- David B. Spence – Professor, Rex G. Baker Chair in Natural Resources Law in the School of Law, Professor of Business, Government, and Society in the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas-Austin
7:30 AM Breakfast
8:30 AM Welcome
Confirmed Speakers:
- Bridget Callaghan – Carbon Action Alliance Manager, Great Plains Institute
8:40 AM Carbon Management—Harnessing the Momentum
Confirmed Speakers:
- Patrice Lahlum – Vice President of Carbon Management, Great Plains Institute
9:00 AM Keynote Address: Brad Crabtree
Confirmed Speakers:
- Brad Crabtree – Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, US Department of Energy
9:30 AM Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations Update on Carbon Management Programs
Confirmed Speakers:
- John Brown – Stakeholder Engagement Specialist, Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, US Department of Energy
9:35 AM Carbon Management in Action: Industry Updates on Cutting-Edge Technologies & Projects
Confirmed Speakers:
- Roxane Roy – Government Affairs Manager, Svante
- William Swetra – Senior Climate Policy Manager, Oxy
- Jennifer Diggins – VP Public Affairs, 8Rivers
- Tracy Evans – Chief Executive Officer, CapturePoint LLC
10:25 AM Networking Break
10:55 AM Video Message from The Honorable Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado
11:00 AM Colorado Road Map & Engagement
Confirmed Speakers:
- Dominique Gómez – Deputy Director, Colorado Energy Office
- Mark Seeley – Lead CCUS Specialist, Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission
- Ean Thomas Tafoya – Colorado State Director, GreenLatinos
- Becky Long – Principal, Siegel Long Public Affairs (moderator)
12:00 PM Networking Lunch
1:00 PM Stakeholder Engagement: Lessons from on the Ground
Confirmed Speakers:
- Mallory Huggins – Senior Project Director & Director, Keystone
Energy Board, Keystone Policy Center - Emma Thomley – State and Regional Policy Specialist, Carbon Management, Great Plains Institute
- Vivian Underhill, PhD – Postdoctoral Researcher, Colorado School of Mines
- Anna Littlefield – CCUS Program Manager, Colorado School of Mines (moderator)
2:00 PM Using the Colorado Decision Support Tool
Confirmed Speakers:
- Nate Morris – Education and Outreach Manager, Great Plains Institute
2:10 PM Crafting a Successful Community Benefits Agreement
Confirmed Speakers:
- Jane Kleeb – Founder and President, Bold Alliance
- Kyle Quackenbush – Segment President, Liquids (Crude Oil and CO2), Tallgrass Energy
- Vilas Annavarapu – Carbon Management Environmental Justice Fellow, Great Plains Institute (moderator)
3:10 PM Networking Break
3:30 PM Foundations of the Future: Workforce Development in Carbon Management
Confirmed Speakers:
- Betony Jones – Director of the Office of Energy Jobs, Department of Energy
- José Pérez – President & CEO, Hispanics in Energy
- Daniel Cardenas – CEO & Chairman, National Tribal Energy Association (NTEA)
- Sherry Tucker – Vice President, Communications, Community Engagement and Government Relations, CapturePoint LLC
- Mike Mikich – Special Representative – Pipeline and Gas Distribution, United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada
- Alejandro Calderon – Labor Engagement Manager, Great Plains Institute (moderator)
4:30 PM Adjourn
6:30 PM Dinner
8:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM Carbon Storage Activity for K-12 Students and You
Confirmed Speakers:
- Paul E. Hand, PhD – Director, Tapia Camps, Tapia Center for Excellence and Equity in Education, Rice University
10:00 AM Networking Break
10:30 AM Inter-state Collaboration for Carbon Management
Confirmed Speakers:
- Abby Pelsmaeker – Policy Advisor, Western Governors’ Association
- Ana Acosta Forbes – State Planning Analyst, Louisiana Office of Planning and Budget
- Michael Turner – Sr. Director, Strategic Initiatives & Finance, Colorado Energy Office
- Angela Seligman – Senior Carbon Capture Policy Manager, Clean Air Task Force (moderator)
11:30 AM Closing Remarks
11:45 AM Adjourn
*all times listed are in local time (MDT).
Sponsorship Information:
Sponsoring CO2NNECT 2026 positions your organization at the center of a focused, implementation-oriented forum shaping the evolution of clean-firm power markets in the Midwest and across the US.
Sponsors benefit from:
- Direct engagement with decision makers responsible for power system planning, regulatory oversight, and federal and state energy programs
- Credible visibility alongside utilities, policy makers, labor, and solution providers advancing reliable, affordable, and clean energy
- Association with pragmatic, nonpartisan solutions, including carbon management and clean-firm resources that support economic growth and grid reliability
- Relationship-building in a curated setting designed for candid discussion, peer exchange, and collaboration rather than sales or advocacy
CO2NNECT sponsorships also support the Great Plains Institute’s mission-driven, nonpartisan work to advance practical climate and energy solutions through cross-sector collaboration.
FAQ
- Will there be a virtual option for the event? No, CO2NNECT will be entirely in person. There will not be an option for virtual engagement.
- Is there any information about past events? Yes, check out our past event summaries from 2023, 2024, or 2025.
- Is funding available to help those facing financial barriers participate? Yes, we have limited scholarship funding available to reimburse travel or lodging costs. If you are interested in pursuing this option, please email Carrie Danner at [email protected].
- Is there a room block available? Yes, for more information, view the event’s registration page or email Carrie Danner at [email protected].
- Other questions? Reach out to Bridget Callaghan, Senior Engagement Manager at [email protected].