Thank you to all those who attended our 2024 event check back soon for more information about 2025!

CO2NNECT is a multi-day event bringing together experts and enthusiasts in the field of carbon management. Carbon management (carbon capture, transport, storage, reuse, and removal) is one of many tools necessary to decarbonize our energy and industrial sectors, meet midcentury climate goals, and create and retain high-wage jobs. With CO2NNECT, we aim to create a space for open and productive dialogue to ensure the deployment of carbon management technologies is achieved in a responsible and timely way.

Here’s what you can expect:

At CO2NNECT, you can expect interactive discussions and opportunities to engage in the following topics:

  • Why we need carbon management: Hear experts discuss the role of carbon management in decarbonizing the US economy.
  • Public engagement: Discuss methods for effective community building to ensure active participation in shaping carbon management policies and projects.
  • Workforce development: Explore initiatives for cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce in carbon management.
  • Tools & resources for carbon management: Showcase innovative tools that can help align stakeholders and enable equitable engagement and decision-making for carbon management.

Hear what people said about our previous events:

“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!!”
"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 provided a unique space to learn from and network with solutions-oriented business, community, labor, and advocacy leaders.”
“CO2NNECT was an excellent conference. The presentations were very good, and the venue and schedule of events provided sufficient time for networking.”
“Great conference to discuss the future of carbon capture along with the associated labor and financial challenges. Plenty of thoughtful people and engaging conversations.”
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Why Attend?

Attending CO2NNECT will provide you with a unique opportunity to learn from experts in the carbon management field, access the latest research and reports, participate in discussions, and share your own ideas and experiences. You will also be able to connect with individuals and organizations with shared interests and contribute to the development of a responsible and effective approach to carbon management project deployment.

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:

The Carbon Action Alliance is offering several sponsorship packages that can be tailored to your organization’s requirements and objectives. Sponsoring CO2NNECT offers visibility, connection, and community impact. It boosts recognition among clean energy advocates, fosters collaboration with diverse stakeholders, and guarantees accessibility for all participants, strengthening the conference’s impact on achieving midcentury climate goals and deploying solutions responsibly.

Click here for more information on sponsoring

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 2024 event summary or 2023 event summary.
  • Is there funding available to participate for those facing financial barriers? 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].
  • Other questions? Reach out to Bridget Callaghan, the Carbon Action Alliance Manager at [email protected].