September 15-16, 2026
Colorado State University's Lory Student Center | Fort Collins, Colorado

CH4 Connections Conference 2026 Agenda Sustaining Impact: Mitigating Methane Emissions Amidst Opportunity and Change

CH4 Connections 2026 convenes stakeholders from industry, academia, technology, regulatory, and finance to focus on a central question facing the methane emissions and mitigation community today: how is the energy industry sustaining real, measurable emissions reductions during a period of rapid change, expanding energy demand, and evolving regulatory and market conditions?

As energy systems are transformed by increased energy demand through electrification, AI-enabled infrastructure, datacenter growth, and global supply expansion—the methane challenge is no longer about whether solutions exist, but how is industry deploying them at scale, prioritizing impact, and maintaining momentum. CH4 Connections Conference 2026 provides a forum for practical, solutions-oriented dialogue focused on doing more with existing tools, data, partnerships, and finance.

(All times subject to change. Please check back for updates.)

Pre-Conference: Monday, September 14, 2026 (all times U.S. Mountain Time Zone)
Noon – 7:00 PMExhibit set up before conference (Lory Student Center ballroom)
Noon – 5:00 PMVeritas Workshop in small north ballroom (Never No Summer ballroom), lunch served at noon, workshop ends at 5:00 PM
5:00 – 7:00 PMVeritas reception

Post-Conference: Thursday, September 17, 2026 (all times U.S. Mountain Time Zone)
9:00 AM – 4:00 PMPipeline Solution Showcase 2026
Location: Colorado State University's Powerhouse Energy Campus and METEC Research Site, Fort Collins, CO
Agenda (subject to change):
  • Morning: Pipeline Industry Operators will learn the latest research findings pertaining to underground pipeline leak detection, quantification, and safety, with an emphasis on AMLD technologies. Researchers and industry will come together to discuss current and foreseen barriers and successes in AMLD technologies. Participants will engage in discussion and provide input regarding impact of study findings, protocol development, and evolving needs within the industry.
  • Afternoon: LDAQ solution developers will share latest developments and advancements in leak detection for pipelines and showcase solutions on controlled leaks at the METEC Underground Pipeline Research Site. METEC will demo current research and projects focused on underground leak detection.
Cost: This is a no-cost event; however, registration is required.
Registration: Click to register here.
Interested in demonstrating? Contact metec_admin@colostate.edu

Conference Day 1: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 (all times in U.S. Mountain Time Zone)
Location: Lory Student Center, Colorado State University
7:00 AM – 5:00 PMRegistration and Information Desk
  • Exhibit set up starting at 7:00 AM, all exhibits must be set up by 11:30 AM
  • Scientific and technical posters displayed on supplied poster boards by 12:30 PM
10:00 – 11:30 AMMETEC tour offered
11:30 AM – 12:30 PMLUNCH, EXHIBITS, NETWORKING
12:30 – 12:40 PMOpening Remarks
12:40 – 1:30 PMKeynote Discussion: Sustaining Impact: Mitigating Methane Emissions Amidst Opportunity and Change

There has been significant technological and methodological progress in methane emissions measurement and mitigation; however, important challenges remain. The complexity of scaling solutions across diverse assets continues to shape industry best practice. Meanwhile, evolving regulatory uncertainty and industry expectations are accelerating the need for higher-resolution data for decision-ready insights. The work must keep moving forward since it ultimately benefits the industry and the people they serve.

This conversation will focus on sustaining methane emissions measurement and mitigation research and development. Specifically, addressing what we know now from industry and research that drives the industry towards actionable outcomes for faster, cost-effective, and scalable emissions reductions across the energy value chain.

Moderator: Amanda Harmon, Senior Director, Emissions Management, GTI Energy
  • Sonal Patni, Vice President, Operations Technology Development, GTI Energy
  • Chris Moore, R&D Director, GTI Energy
  • Joe von Fischer, Professor, Colorado State University
1:30 – 2:15 PMPanel 1: 3R --> Regulations, Reporting and Responsibility: What is happening with reporting?
  • Given an ever-changing regulatory landscape ... what is happening? What is driving action?
  • What are Fed actions on base programs – GHGRP and GHGI?
  • What is the response across states?
  • How are international buyers and suppliers changing behavior?
  • What is the industry read on what will happen in next few years?
Moderator: Dan Zimmerle, Director METEC, Colorado State University
  • Panelist 1: Sara Dewey, Senior Staff Attorney, Harvard Environmental & Energy Law Program
  • Panelist 2: Adam Pacsi, Lower Carbon Policy Advisor, Chevron
  • Panelist 3: Rick Lattanzio, Senior Policy Advisor, Climate & Sustainability, American Petroleum Institute
2:15 – 3:15 PMBREAK, NETWORKING, EXHIBITS, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL POSTERS
3:15 – 4:00 PMPanel 2: Rising Energy Demand and What It Means for Methane Emissions
  • What are the impacts of data center and AI-driven energy demand on the natural gas industry and methane emissions?
  • How can utilities, producers, transmission providers, technology companies and policymakers balance reliability, affordability, and methane management in an AI-enabled energy future?
  • How are stakeholder companies (gas supply chain, data center operators) managing tensions between an increase in gas-fired generation and their sustainability goals?
Moderator: Zach Weller, Senior Manager, Data Science, GTI Energy
  • Panelist 1: Ali Lashgari, Scientific & Technical Director, MiQ
  • Panelist 2: Marsha Fisher, Head of Environmental, Regulatory & Sustainability, bpx energy
4:00 – 4:35 PMPanel 3: Silver Sponsor Showcase Rapid-Fire Session

Moderator: Dylan Chandler, Scientist, GTI Energy
4:35 – 4:45 PMGold Sponsor Technical Presentation #1

John 'Bunkie' Westerheide, Chief Revenue Officer, Kathairos Solutions
4:45 – 7:00 PMNETWORKING HAPPY HOUR & POSTER SESSION
Scientific and technical posters in lobby, and exhibits

Conference Day 2: Wednesday, September 16, 2026 (U.S. Mountain Time Zone)
Location: Lory Student Center, Colorado State University
7:30 AM – 3:30 PMRegistration and Information Desk
7:30 – 8:30 AMHot Breakfast and Networking
8:30 – 8:40 AMOpening Remarks: What is the path forward? And what did we learn yesterday? A recap.
  • Johanna Schmidtke, VP of Applied Energy Infrastructure, GTI Energy
  • Joe von Fischer, Professor, Department of Biology, Colorado State University
8:40 – 9:25 AMPanel 4: AI in Action: Transforming Operations and Leveraging Methane Data
  • How is AI being applied today to transform operational decision-making and emissions management? What applications and opportunities are on the horizon?
  • What data, infrastructure, and organizational capabilities are needed to successfully deploy AI in the energy industry?
  • How will AI reshape workflows, reduce regulatory uncertainties, and de-risk technology deployment?
Moderator: Jason Quinn, Mechanical Engineering professor, Interim Executive Director, Energy Institute, Colorado State University
  • Panelist 1: Adam Silva, Manager of Applied Artificial Intelligence, Duke Energy
  • Panelist 2: Jason Northern, Engineer, Air Compliance & Emissions Reduction, Williams
9:25 – 9:35 AMGold Sponsor Technical Presentation #2

Stefano Menghini, Sales & Marketing Director, AUTOMA
9:35 – 10:20 AMPanel 5: Financing Methane Mitigation Solutions at Scale
  • What is the current landscape of methane finance and where capital is (and isn’t) flowing?
  • What are the emerging financing mechanisms, including public-private partnerships, carbon markets, and sustainable debt instruments that are available
  • What is the role of policy and market signals in unlocking investment
  • How can improved measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) de-risk projects and attract capital
  • What are strategies for building investable project pipelines and delivering measurable returns
Moderator: Chris Moore, R&D Director, Emissions Management, GTI Energy
  • Panelist 1: Chris Page, Chief Impact Officer, Tradewater
  • Panelist 2: Amanda O’Connor, Program Director, Hyperspectral Missions, Planet Labs
  • Panelist 3: Erin Blanton, Chief Operating Officer, Carbon Mapper
10:20 – 11:00 AMBREAK, NETWORKING, EXHIBITS, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL POSTERS
11:00 – 11:45 AMPanel 6: Operator Perspectives & Priorities
This session is designed to provide a U.S. operator perspective on the evolving methane emissions landscape and operations. Key topics will include:
  • How operators are responding to dynamic expectations including technology deployment, market, and regulations.
  • Ways operations see value of their methane emissions reduction efforts
  • Perspectives on the role of AI in leak detection, quantification, and broader operational decision-making
  • What are still the challenges and opportunities in the methane emissions landscape for operators, including considerations specific to the distribution sector
Moderator: Anna Hodshire, Assistant Professor, Systems Engineering, CSU
  • Panelist 1: Alex Bosiljevac, Senior Climate Advisor, EQT
  • Panelist 2: Cyndi Wagener, Methane Venture Manager, ExxonMobil
  • Panelist 3: Dorian Afanador, Sustainability Program Manager, Southern Company Gas
11:45 AM – 12:45 PMLUNCH - NETWORKING, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL POSTERS, EXHIBITS
12:45 – 1:30 PMPanel 7: Using data you already have in order to maximize efficiency, limit costs, and minimize emissions
  • Operator-led discussion
  • What data are operators already collecting that is underutilized?
  • How are operators using the wealth of data and information that can complement methane emissions measurement initiatives?
  • What future data uses are operators preparing for today?
Moderator: Ellie Martinez, Data Scientist, GTI Energy
  • Panelist 1: LaTisha Crumbly, Manager of Operations Support Programs, Southern Company Gas
  • Panelist 2: James Van Horne, Senior Principal Engineer, SLR Consulting
  • Panelist 3: Anna Campbell-Sowden, Emission Analyst, Energy Services, National Fuel Gas
1:30 – 2:00 PMPanel 8: Bronze Sponsor Showcase Rapid-Fire Session

Moderator: Ezra Levin, Research Scientist, Colorado State University METEC
2:00 – 2:40 PMBREAK, NETWORKING, EXHIBITS, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL POSTERS
2:40 – 3:00 PMKeynote Speaker: Our Path Forward
Jeremy Koster, Vice President, Natural Gas Sales and Operations Development, Duke Energy

Insights on topics such as:
  • Industry leadership in methane reduction
  • Operational excellence and emissions management
  • Innovation, AI, and data-driven decision making
  • Policy, investment, and market developments
  • The future of sustainable energy systems
3:00 – 3:20 PMQuestions and Answers with Keynote Speaker

Fireside chat Moderator: Dan Zimmerle, Director METEC, Colorado State University
3:20 – 3:30 PMWrap Up and Conference Adjourned
  • Chris Moore, R&D Director, Emissions Management, GTI Energy
  • Zach Weller, Senior Manager, Data Science, GTI Energy
  • Amanda Harmon, Senior Director, Emissions Management, GTI Energy
  • Dan Zimmerle, Director of Methane Emissions Program (METEC), Colorado State University
  • Anna Hodshire, Assistant Professor, Systems Engineering, CSU
  • Joe von Fischer, Professor, Colorado State University
4:00 – 5:30 PMMETEC tour offered
  • No shuttle bus offered, transportation on your own

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