
The Goal
The Jackson Hole Summit: Energy, Economics, and Environment will bring together leaders, investors, policymakers, and communities to meet the reality of growing global energy demand through strategies that maximize local economic growth while preserving environmental integrity.
Wyoming—a key energy-producing state—plays a lead role in this national challenge. Attendees will gain insights into the landscape ahead to meet expanding energy demands, accelerate the energy transformation and strengthen economic diversification in energy communities.
At the local level, Teton County is a national leader in setting and implementing clean energy goals. The summit will highlight tangible progress and ongoing challenges in Teton County’s clean energy journey, offering attendees a platform to engage with real-world case studies.
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Day One will highlight national and Wyoming-based energy strategies, examining key legislative and investment frameworks, as well as current energy projects that are shaping the future.
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Day Two will focus on Teton County’s energy landscape, providing a deep dive into reducing energy use and emissions, and local sustainability initiatives.
With a focus on driving actionable outcomes at the national, state, and local levels, the Jackson Hole Summit seeks to strengthen progress towards affordable and dependable energy, innovation, workforce development, thriving communities, and healthy ecosystems.
Day 1
MAY 14
National and State Perspectives
8:30am
Registration and Coffee
9:00
9:05
9:15
Keynote
Jared Diamond, American scientist, historian and author
"The Three E’s in a Changing World: Energy, Economics, and Environment”
10:00
The National Landscape: Energy Communities Case Studies
Moderator: Monika Leininger, Director of External Affairs & Climate Policy, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Wyoming
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West Virginia Energy Communities: Evan Hansen, West Virginia House of Delegates
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Wyoming Energy Communities: Rusty Bell, former Campbell County Commissioner
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Transmission: Quentin Rogers, Vice President, Powder River Energy Corporation
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Philanthropy: Heidi Binko, Co-Founder and Executive Director, the Just Transition Fund
11:00
15 Minute Coffee Break
11:15
The Mountain West Moment: Leading the Next Generation of Nuclear Energy
Moderator: Glen Murrell, Director, Idaho National Lab
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Michelle Zietlow-Miller, Public Engagement Manager, Gateway to Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN)
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Robert Bowen, Mayor of Kemmerer
12:15
Lunch Speaker
Trevor Neilson, President, Prometheus Hyperscale
"Prometheus Hyperscale – Plans for the Nation’s First Carbon-Neutral Data Center”
12:45
Investing in the Next Wave of Energy Innovation
Moderator: Kareem Dabbagh, Managing Partner, VoLo Earth
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Ernst Sack, Partner, Blue Bear Capital
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Tim Jones, COO, Innosphere Ventures
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Andrew Chung, Founder and Managing Partner, 1955 Capital
1:45
Startups Leading the Energy Transformation - Part 1
Moderator: Sam Heintz, Policy and Partnerships, Prometheus and Energy Analyst, JHCGA
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Utility Scale Solar: Christine Mikell, Principal, Enyo Solar
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Renewable Natural Gas and Carbon Storage: Ryan Waddington, CEO, Cowboy Clean Fuels
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Stored Energy: Eugene Holubnyak, Director of the Hydrogen Energy Research Center at the University of Wyoming
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Coal: Terry Manning, CEO, Wyoming Coal to Ammonia project
2:45
Coffee Break
3:00
Startups Leading the Energy Transformation - Part 2
Moderator: Pete Kocubinski, Advisor, JHCGA
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Critical Minerals Mining: Scott Durgin, President, Vero 3
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Coal to Graphite: Jeff Ehrhardt, CEO, U.S. Carbon
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Next Generation Wind Energy: Neal Rickner, CEO, Airloom
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Waste to Fuel: Matt Murdock, Founder and CEO, Raven SR
4:00
Wyoming Community-led Energy Strategies
Moderator: Sophie Rockefeller, Energy Analyst, JHCGA
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Community Solar for the Eastern Shoshone: Gilbert Riche, Eastern Shoshone Housing Authority
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Residential Solar for the Northern Arapaho: Patrick Goggles, Solar for All Project Lead
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Campbell County - the Carbon Valley Strategy: Jim Ford, Campbell County Commissioner
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Teton County: Ben Ellis, Owner, 460 Bread
Day 2
MAY 15
Teton County: Energy, Climate and Sustainability Solutions
8:30am
Registration and Coffee
8:45am
9:15
Energy Solutions Field Trips (sign up for one here)
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Geothermal in Action: Short walk to Hidden Hollow Apartment Complex to see how a large scale development is utilizing geothermal heat systems.
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Transportation Solutions: Travel by START Bus to the START facility to learn about public transportation solutions and the Town of Jackson's EV Fleet.
10:15
Coffee Break
10:30
Understanding Teton County Energy and the Drivers of Power Consumption with Jim Webb, CEO, Lower Valley Energy
11:00
Thinking Outside the Box: Big Ideas for Teton County
A conversation facilitated by Melissa Turley, Executive Director of Energy Conservation Works:
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Climate Solutions: Margie Lynch, Jackson Hole Climate Action Collective
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Transportation: Charlotte Frei, Teton County
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Airport Operations: Jac Stelly, Jackson Hole Airport
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Energy: Zach Isler, Energy Conservation Works
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Climate Resilience: Amy Macdonald, Ripple Resilience
12:00
Lunch
1:00
Community Action Steps Panel
A conversation facilitated by Tanya Anderson, Ecosystem Stewardship Administrator for the Town of Jackson
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Alicia Cox, Executive Director, Yellowstone Teton Clean Cities
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Arne Jorgensen, Mayor, Town of Jackson
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Mark Newcomb, Chair, Teton County Board of Commissioners
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Aaron Pruzan, Owner, Rendezvous River Sports
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Katy Hollbacher, Owner, Beyond Efficiency
2:00
Teton County Resilience Strategies
Introduction and Preparing for Climate Impacts: Margie Lynch, Jackson Hole Climate Action Collective, Center Theater followed by Interactive Stations in the Lobby:
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Energy Conservation Works: Community Solar, Accessing Energy Efficiency, and Leveraging IRA Funds at Household Level
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Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities: Alternative Transportation Solutions
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Jackson Hole Climate Action Collective: Helping residents take Climate Action
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Riverwind: Sustainable Business Leaders and Sustainability Certification
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LegacyWorks Group: Teton Community Wellbeing Dashboard
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Teton Conservation District: Plant native species, create a Trout Friendly Lawn, & protect your home from wildfire
3:15
Break
3:30
Community Action Planning Session: Engaging in the Town Sustainability Plan with Tanya Anderson
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Learn about the new TOJ Sustainability Plan Goals and Points of Engagement for Community Members
4:30
Closing of the Summit in the Theater with Town Councilor Jonathan Schechter
5:00 - 6:30
Community Action Celebration and Reception
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(FREE - all are welcome!) Come enjoy live music from Toby Smith and Hannah Habermann, interactive art from climate artist Ava Reynolds, place-centered readings by Jackson Hole Writers, and local sustainability booths. It’s a joyful space to gather, learn, and celebrate sustainable living in the Tetons.