Montana Tech to host 2025 Energy and Critical Materials Summit
Three-day event to explore the future of energy and critical resources
Montana Technological University will host the 2025 Lance College of Mines and Engineering Energy and Critical Materials Summit from October 8–10, 2025, in the University’s Library Auditorium. The Summit will feature two keynote speakers, Dr. Scott W. Tinker and Dr. Thomas Lograsso, alongside top leaders and innovators in energy, mining, environmental policy, and national defense. Dr. Tinker is a world-renowned energy expert and endowed professor at the University of Texas at Austin, as well as CEO of Tinker Energy Associates and chairman and CEO of the nonprofit Switch Energy Alliance. Dr. Lograsso is director of the DOE's Critical Materials Innovation Hub and Ames Laboratory's Division of Critical Materials, who has led major efforts to strengthen and innovate the U.S. critical materials supply chain.
The Summit is organized by the Lance College of Mines and Engineering at Montana Tech. It will be co-hosted by Lance Energy Chair Bob Morris and Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department Head Dr. Jerry Downey.
“Montana is at a pivotal moment in its energy and materials story,” Morris said. “This summit brings together innovators, experts, and leaders to explore how our state can lead in building a resilient, sustainable, and high-value future. We’re proud to host this dialogue at Montana Tech and to help shape the conversations that will define what’s next for energy and critical materials in Montana and beyond.”
“Critical materials are essential to our national defense and to the transformation of our energy systems,” Downey said. “This summit will explore the nation’s critical material needs and examine prospects and practicalities of meeting them through domestic production from primary and secondary sources. Ensuring a secure and resilient supply chain will require collaboration across industry, government, and academia. The summit will bring those voices together to discuss practical and forward-thinking solutions.”
This three-day event will bring together thought leaders from across the energy and materials spectrum for in-depth discussions on the future of critical resources. Expert panels will explore key topics including:
- Electric power
- Energy and environmental policy
- Oil & gas
- Materials recovery from primary resources
- Materials recovery through recycling
- Materials for defense and homeland security applications
- Nuclear energy
- Energy storage and carbon capture
- National security and defense materials
The Summit will offer insights into the technologies, strategies, and policies needed to secure reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy and critical materials for the United States and Montana.
Keynote speakers:
Dr. Scott Tinker
Dr. Scott W. Tinker is a global energy explorer and educator bringing industry, government, academia, and nongovernmental organizations together to address major societal challenges in energy, the environment, and the economy. Following a 17-year career in the energy industry, Dr. Tinker spent 24 years as an endowed professor and director of the 250-person Bureau of Economic Geology at UT Austin. He is CEO of Tinker Energy Associates and chairman and CEO of the nonprofit Switch Energy Alliance. With Director Harry Lynch, Tinker co-produced and is featured in the award-winning documentary films Switch and Switch On, screened to millions of viewers globally. Tinker is the host of Energy Switch, an energy and climate point-counterpoint show appearing on over 80% of PBS stations and on major podcast channels, and the voice of Earth Date, featured on over 460 public radio stations nationwide. His writing appears from Forbes to Fortune to Scientific American. In his visits to some 60 countries, Tinker has given over 1100 keynote and invited lectures and presented a TEDx on The Dual Challenge: Energy and Environment. Tinker has been president of several international scientific societies, serves on many public, private and academic boards and councils, and is an angel investor bringing companies from startup to sale. He is an AGI Campbell Medalist, AAPG Halbouty Medalist, GCAGS Boyd Medalist, AIPG Parker Medalist, and a Geological Society of America Fellow.
Dr. Thomas Lograsso
Dr. Thomas Lograsso, director of the DOE's Critical Materials Innovation Hub and Ames Laboratory's Division of Critical Materials, has recently led transformative efforts to secure and innovate the U.S. critical materials supply chain. Under his direction, the Hub receives over $30 million annually to advance research in rare earth recycling, substitutions, and efficiency. In 2024, he received the DOE AMMTO Visionary Award for renewing the Hub. He has been a materials scientist at the Ames National Laboratory since 1988. Tom is a co-inventor of a rare-earth free substitute for the magnetostrictive alloy, Terfenol-D (contains the critical elements Tb and Dy), used in high precision machining operations for small engine components and as an ultrasonic driver in petroleum exploration..
The summit will open the evening of October 8 with a special screening of SWITCH, the award-winning documentary by internationally recognized energy expert and filmmaker Dr. Scott Tinker. Dr. Tinker will also deliver the keynote address on October 9, setting the stage for two full days of dynamic, solutions-focused dialogue. It is especially relevant for community leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, technologists, and engaged citizens committed to energy innovation, critical materials, and national security.
The summit is open to the public. Wednesday evening’s film screening is free to attend, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration for the Thursday and Friday sessions is available at the link below. To learn more, access the event schedule, and register, click here.