TOPEKA, Kan. — As Kansas navigates a new era of energy development, the Clean Energy Business Council and the Kansas Department of Commerce are inviting industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to “Future Forward: The Kansas Energy Economy.” Held on October 8th and 9th, 2025, at the Hotel Topeka at City Center, this premier conference is set to ignite crucial conversations and drive solutions for the state’s energy future, bringing together the minds shaping a resilient and sustainable power grid.
This year’s conference will feature a new pre-conference workshop on October 7th, focused on Communicating with the Public, Stakeholders, and Commissions for Permitting Success. This half-day session, led by industry experts, will provide a deep dive into the practical considerations of developing and financing new energy projects, including transmission, battery storage, and gas plants, setting the stage for the main conference sessions. The workshop will be led by Program Chairs Dr. Christopher Ollson and Alan Claus Anderson, joined by Frank Rizzo of Bantam Communications.
“It has been an honor to serve as co-program chair with Dr. Ollson for this year’s Kansas Energy Conference,” said Alan Claus Anderson, Energy Practice Group Chair at Polsinelli. “The level of content and engagement has been outstanding, with panels and discussions that will address the most pressing issues facing the energy sector today. From gas plants, data centers, transmission, energy efficiency and battery storage to evolving regulatory frameworks and more, the conference will deliver the kind of high-quality insights that our industry needs to move forward.”
The conference will highlight prominent figures, including plenary speaker Elizabeth Weise, an accomplished energy reporter formerly with USA Today and author of the 2024 five part series examining the challenges of renewable energy siting, and Kansas Corporation Commission Chairman Andrew French. Chairman French, a lifelong Kansan, is a member of the Joint Federal-State Task Force on Electric Transmission and is a key figure in navigating the complex regulatory environment of Kansas’s energy transition.
“As Program Chairs we are pleased to announce a star-studded line up of sessions for this year’s Kansas Energy Conference,” said Dr. Chris Ollson, Ollson Environmental Health Services. “This diverse group of developers, consultants, academics, lawyers and policy makers has been assembled from homegrown Kansas talent and experts from across the United States. I look forward to seeing you all in Kansas in October.”
Attendees will leave the conference with new ideas and valuable insights on how they can contribute to and play a role in the region’s energy future. Pre-conference workshop, general admission tickets and sponsorship packages are now available.
For more information and to view the full agenda, please visit the conference event page.
About the Clean Energy Business Council: The Clean Energy Business Council is an organization dedicated to fostering a business environment that supports the growth of clean energy and energy efficiency in Kansas.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce: The Kansas Department of Commerce is the state’s lead economic development agency, working to create an environment that attracts and retains businesses, drives job growth, and builds a strong Kansas economy.
