2026 Drake Dialogues
Experts, Practitioners & Local Leaders Discuss Future of Energy and Environmental Security
October 12-13, 2026
Oil Region National Heritage Area, Northwest Pennsylvania
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Community Seminar & Tours
October 12, 2026
The conference's inaugural day features presentations on community transition projects, heritage and recreational tours. Open to conference attendees and the public with prior registration and subject to availability. The program is designed to facilitate interactions and spark new conversations between local leaders and conference attendees concerning future opportunities and lesson learned from the region's 166-year and counting experience with - and environmental recovery from - the early oil and gas Industry.
Multiple Venues
Throughout the Oil Region National Heritage Area between Oil City and Titusville, Pennsylvania
Drake Dialogues
October 13, 2026
In the spirit of Edwin Drake's tenacity and creativity, which produced America's first oil discovery in 1859, global and local experts, practitioners, and leaders will gather to discuss and debate the future of energy security and the environment. This includes hybrid interactive presentations with panelists giving introductory arguments followed by a free-flowing dialogue followed by questions and answers. By invitation only.
The Venue
Drake Well Museum & Park commemorates Edwin Drake's drilling of America's first oil well In 1859. The museum and surrounding grounds chronicle the birth and development of Pennsylvania's petroleum and gas industry and its evolution into today's global enterprise.
Join The Conversation!
Mid-October in Western Pennsylvania features some of the world's most breathtaking autumn foliage, the annual gift from the varied deciduous forest that took the area back from the brink of environmental destruction following the early oil boom.
Who Should Attend?
Experts, practitioners, officials and those interested in how America and the World can practically balance their energy and enviromental goals.
What to Expect?
A full two days of in-depth dialogues, debates and presentations on energy and environmental security Issues now facing the United States and the World - as well as a lot of history, great food and even a bit of local moonshine!
For more information, please email info@drakeenergysecurity.org
Select 2025 Attendees
Mike Sommers
President & CEO
American Petroleum Institute
Mark Pearson
President & CEO
Liberty Resources II
Steven Burns
Former Director for Energy Security, National Security Council
Landon Derentz
Richard L. Morningstar Chair for Global Energy Security, Atlantic Council
Brenda Shaffer
Professor – Research Energy Academic Group – Naval Postgraduate School
Fahad Alajlan
President
King Abdullah Petroleum. Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC)
Ben Cahill
Director of Energy Markets and Policy, University of Texas at Austin
Lyndsey Merrill Feinberg
Managing Director, Engine No.1
Francesco Maria Graziani
Energy and Climate Counselor Delegation of the European Union to the United States
Michael Ratner
Specialist in Energy Policy Congressional Research Service
Stephanie Pronco
Nuclear Energy Institute
Elizabeth Lieberknecht
Regulatory and Legislative Manager, Midcontinent, Environmental Defense Fund
Andrew J. Tabler
Author and former Director, National Security Council and Senior Advisor, U.S. Department of State
Sid Green
President
EPI Recovery
Kevin Book
Managing Director, Research, ClearView Energy Partners
Adam Sieminski
Senior Advisor
KAPSARC
Kevin Dayaratna
Director, Center for Data Analysis and Chief Statistician Heritage Foundation
Don Houser
Government Affairs
BHE GT&S,
Berkshire Hathaway Energy
Juhani Platt
Former Senior Advisor for Energy Policy
U.S. Department of State
Ken Moriyasu
Washington Correspondent Nikkei
Will Polen
Senior Director
United States Energy Association (USEA)
Greg White
Former Chair of NARUC & Michigan State Regulatory Commissioner
Kenny Stein
Vice President of Policy Institute for Energy Research
Elizabeth Stelle
Vice President for Policy
Commonwealth Foundation
2024 Drake Dialogues
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