Powering America’s Next 250 Years

Thursday, July 16, 2026
Moravian University, Haupert Union Building (HUB) 1119 Monocacy St., Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018

Topics Include:

⚡ Grid Reliability
⚡ Energy Storage
⚡ AI & Energy Demand
⚡ Workforce Development
⚡ Infrastructure Modernization
⚡ Energy Policy
⚡ Small Modular Reactors
⚡ Industrial Decarbonization
⚡ Emerging Technologies

Energypath 2026 brings together energy professionals, policymakers, educators, researchers, innovators and students for a forward-looking exploration of Pennsylvania’s evolving energy landscape and the technologies, policies and workforce shaping the future of energy.

From Pennsylvania’s historic role in powering America to emerging conversations around grid resilience, energy storage, infrastructure modernization and next-generation technologies, Energypath offers a uniquely intergenerational conference experience designed to connect today’s leaders with the next generation of innovators

Energypath is proud to partner with Central PA AEE to offer attendees the opportunity to earn Association of Energy Engineers professional development hours (PDHs).

*Agenda subject to change as additional speakers and sessions are announced.*

Conference Schedule

8:00 AM – Registration Opens

Networking, coffee and attendee check-in.

Opening Plenary

9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Pennsylvania’s Historic Role in the Energy Industry

Dr. Brian Black
Distinguished Professor of History and Environmental Studies
Penn State University- Altoona

Pennsylvania has shaped the global energy story for over two centuries. Dr. Black will examine the Commonwealth’s historic leadership in coal, oil, gas and electricity — and what that legacy means for our energy future.

Featured Session

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Reclaiming Coal Country: Pennsylvania’s Anthracite Legacy, Environmental Recovery, and Regional Revitalization

Elizabeth Hughes, EdD
Director of Communications
Earth Conservancy

This session examines the environmental and economic legacy of Pennsylvania’s anthracite coal region while exploring pathways for land reclamation, environmental recovery and long-term regional revitalization.

Featured Discussion

10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
The Current Energy Landscape: Reliability, Demand and Grid Evolution

Featured Discussion with PJM

As energy demand rapidly evolves, this session will explore the technologies, market forces and infrastructure challenges shaping today’s electric grid and energy economy.

Topics may include:

• Energy resiliency
• Grid reliability
• AI-driven energy demand
• Distributed energy systems
• Infrastructure modernization

Technology & Innovation Session

10:45 AM – 11:15 AM
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): The Next Nuclear Frontier

This session will examine Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as an emerging advancement in nuclear energy and their potential role within future energy portfolios, grid reliability and decarbonization efforts.

Legislative & Policy Panel

11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
Pennsylvania Legislative & Energy Policy Update Panel

Energy policy continues to shape infrastructure investment, electrification, economic competitiveness and utility modernization across Pennsylvania.

This panel will feature discussion from regional policy and industry leaders on:

• State energy legislation
• Market and regulatory developments
• Utility modernization
• Grid reliability
• Economic and workforce impacts

Panelists

• Brad Barkdoll — Government Affairs Director, KEEA
• Monica Carey — Pennsylvania Program Director, Solar United Neighbors
• Chris D’Agostino — Principal, Advanced Energy United

Lunch & Networking

12:15 PM – 1:00 PM

Lunch and networking opportunity with attendees, speakers, exhibitors and students.

Energy Leadership Keynote 

1:00 pm – 1:30 pm 

Secretary Jessica Shirley, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection 

Secretary Shirley will explore how Pennsylvania’s historic role as an energy leader continues to shape the Commonwealth’s approach to today’s evolving energy landscape. Her address will highlight the opportunities and challenges involved in building a reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy future for Pennsylvania’s communities, industries, and workforce.

Lightning Talks

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM
The Future of Energy in 5 Minutes

“What is one trend, decision, or risk that will shape the energy system in the next 10, 20, 50 years?” Fast-paced presentations from innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs and emerging leaders sharing bold ideas and breakthrough technologies shaping the future of energy.

Topics may include:

• Resiliency infrastructure
• Energy storage
• Grid modernization
• AI and energy demand
• Emerging technologies

Featured Presentation

2:15 PM – 2:45 PM
Long Duration Energy Storage and Grid Resilience

Anna Siefken
Director for Policy & Markets, North America
Long Duration Energy Storage Council

As renewable energy adoption expands and grid demand increases, long-duration energy storage technologies are becoming critical to reliability and resiliency. This session explores emerging storage strategies, market opportunities and future deployment considerations..

Closing Keynote

2:45 PM-3:45 PM
Powering America’s Next 250 Years

Simon Anderson International Futurist, Applied Foresight Expert

Simon Anderson brings a bold vision of the future to Energypath 2026. As an internationally recognized futurist and founder of Foresight, he helps organizations and communities navigate rapid change, emerging technologies, AI, and innovation to become future-ready in an evolving energy landscape.

Speaker Spotlights

Energypath 2026 is bringing together historians, researchers, innovators, policymakers and industry leaders for conversations about the systems shaping America’s energy future.

Additional speaker and session announcements will be released in the coming weeks.

Join Us at Energypath 2026

Be part of the conversations shaping the next era of American energy.