Blank Rome LLP, Blank Rome Government Relations LLC, and Langan will present our Twelfth Annual Energy Industry Update, themed “Energy | Security | Investment,” at Blank Rome’s Washington, D.C., office on Thursday, December 3, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a reception to follow.

About the Program

Powering America’s Future: Energy, National Security, and Strategic Investment in an Era of Global Uncertainty

Leading industry, legal, and technical professionals will share timely insights, forward-looking perspectives, and meaningful conversation. Attendees will gain actionable insights into the most urgent opportunities and challenges transforming the energy landscape, from powering the explosive growth of Artificial Intelligence and data centers, to accelerating generation and transmission capacity amid complex utility planning and interconnection constraints. Speakers will discuss how leaders are strengthening the electric grid and critical infrastructure against physical and cybersecurity threats; securing domestic critical-mineral supply chains; navigating pivotal developments in Congress and federal agencies, including permitting reform, tax incentives, executive actions, and enforcement priorities; and overcoming the financing, workforce, insurance, and risk pressures that will define energy investment for years to come.

Keynote Speaker

The Honorable Spencer Abraham brings a distinguished record of national leadership as former U.S. Secretary of Energy under President George W. Bush and former U.S. Senator from Michigan. A respected voice on energy policy, national security, and strategic investment, he now serves as Senior Advisor at Blank Rome Government Relations LLC and Chairman of The Abraham Group, an international strategic consulting firm.

Discussion Panels

The New Energy Reality: Artificial Intelligence, Data Centers and the Race for Electricity

Explore how rising electricity demand from artificial intelligence and data centers is reshaping energy development, utility planning, transmission, generation, and investment. The panel will examine interconnection delays, evolving regulation, natural gas generation, small modular reactors, and the infrastructure required to deliver reliable power at scale.

Why it matters: Gain practical insight to strengthen energy strategy, manage physical and cybersecurity risks, and prepare your organization for the next wave of power-intensive growth.

  • Rory Johnston, Managing Principal/Executive Vice President, Langan Engineering & Environmental Services (Moderator)
  • Paul Fraioli, Senior Fellow for Technology, Geopolitics and Strategy, at the International Institute for Strategic Studies
  • Tim Frazier, Executive Vice President, Aalo Atomic
  • Garrison Coward, Founder and Managing Partner of Virginia Capital Fund, former Chief Transformation Officer for the Commonwealth of Virginia
  • Christy Swearingen, Founder and Principal, Swearingen Development Partners

Critical Minerals and Energy Security

Examine the race to secure lithium, graphite, copper, and other critical minerals essential to America’s energy, technology, and national security. The panel will explore domestic mining and recycling, federal incentives, global competition, and the investment strategies needed to build more resilient supply chains.

Why it matters: Identify vulnerabilities, evaluate emerging opportunities, and position your organization to compete in a rapidly changing critical-minerals market.

  • Jeffrey Manuszak, Associate Principal/, Langan Engineering & Environmental Services (Moderator)
  • Abigail Hunter, Executive Director of SAFE Center for Critical Minerals Strategy
  • Michael Jobbins, RIPIL Senior Fellow, School of International Service, American University
  • Scott Honan, Chief Operating Officer, NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Washington Energy Update

Gain an insider’s view of the federal policies and politics reshaping America’s energy landscape, from Congress and the midterm elections to priorities at the Department of Energy, EPA, and FERC. Explore how tax incentives, permitting reform, executive actions, enforcement priorities, grid resilience, cybersecurity, foreign ownership, and LNG exports are influencing energy security and investment.

Why it matters: Anticipate policy shifts, engage decision makers, and prepare your organization to manage regulatory risk and act on emerging opportunities.

Energy Development and Security: The Next Five Years

Listen to C-suite leaders discuss the decisions that will define the next era of energy development and investment. The panel will discuss the nuclear resurgence, permitting reform, workforce constraints, insurance and risk, and the capital strategies needed to build a secure, reliable, and competitive energy future.

Why it matters: Challenge conventional thinking, clarify investment priorities, and position your organization to manage risk and lead through the next five years of energy transformation.

  • Ryan Purpura, Partner Blank Rome LLP (Moderator)
  • Ashley Davis, Partner, S-3 Group LLC, Author and Political Strategist, former Special Assistant to National Director (and then Secretary) of Homeland Security Tom Ridge
  • John Engel, Chief Operating Officer with Gulf Coast Western
  • Glen Thomas, GT Power Group, President of PJM Power Providers Group; Former Chairman of the Pennsylvania Utility Commission, Former Deputy Director to Governor Ridge’s Policy Office
  • Kevin Voelte, Co-Head of Energy Investment Banking, Fifth Third Securities

CLE Credit

This CLE program is expected to qualify for the credit categories and amounts listed below. All jurisdictional credit determinations, whether approved or pending, are subject to change.

  • CA – 4.00 General Credits
  • CT – 4.00 General Credits via reciprocity
  • DE – 4.00 General Live Credits (Pending)
  • IL – 4.00 General Credits
  • NJ – 4.50 General Credits via reciprocity
  • NY – 4.50 Professional Practice Credits (Transitional & Non-Transitional)
  • PA – 4.00 General Credits
  • TX – 4.00 General Credits
  • VA – 4.00 General Credits (Pending)

Questions? Contact Loida Reusi via e-mail.

Register Here