NETL Director Brian J. Anderson, Ph.D., and other representatives will share the Lab’s innovative work to develop energy technology solutions at the upcoming West Virginia Governor’s Energy Summit.

The West Virginia Office of Energy is hosting the 13th annual summit Oct. 7-9 at Stonewall Resort, in Roanoke, West Virginia, on behalf of Gov. Jim Justice. This year’s theme is “Embracing Energy Opportunities.” The event features energy experts from across the state, region and nation. Key stakeholders — including lawmakers, government officials, industry, university representatives, researchers and nongovernmental organizations — are slated to attend.

NETL’s Associate Director for Strategic Partnerships Michael Knaggs and State & Local Partnerships Manager James Ferguson will kick off the Lab’s participation with a pre-conference workshop focused on partnering with NETL. The session will introduce attendees to the collaborative resources available through NETL to advance energy in the Mountain State.

Anderson will address the crowd during Tuesday’s morning program to provide updates on the Lab’s latest technology achievements.

“As the nation’s only national laboratory dedicated to fossil fuel research, NETL is developing cleaner, more efficient ways to make use of West Virginia and Appalachia’s plentiful energy resources — particularly coal and natural gas,” Anderson said. “Cutting-edge technological advances offer opportunities to optimize coal-based power operations, thereby cutting costs and boosting competitiveness. Improved carbon capture, utilization and storage options enhance the economic viability and benefit of fossil technologies. And we’re exploring ways to expand the coal and natural gas value chain by manufacturing high-value products, such as carbon nanomaterials, critical materials and more, using coal and natural gas as a feedstock.”

Ken Humphreys, senior advisor to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy will speak Tuesday afternoon, followed by a panel discussion featuring NETL Science and Technology Plans and Programs Chief of Staff Kirk Gerdes , Ph.D., titled “Resiliency in Energy Security.”

NETL is a sponsor of the summit, along with Antero Resources, Appalachian Power, Doss Enterprises, Orion Strategies, Pickering Energy Solutions, West Virginia American Water and the West Virginia Propane Gas Association. An exhibit will showcase NETL’s mission to discover, integrate and mature technology solutions to enhance the nation’s energy foundation and protect the environment for future generations.

Founded during World War II to develop ways to produce synthesis gas from coal, NETL’s Morgantown site has been dedicated to West Virginia for more than 70 years and continues to bolster the regional economy while advancing energy science and engineering. The Lab’s innovative work stimulates valuable economic investments that create jobs at West Virginia’s coal mines and natural gas wells, while also contributing to the state’s reputation as an important hub for the energy industry.