SAME’s DC Post’s Transatlantic Energy Security Symposium offered a unique forum to discuss critical challenges to energy security.
For the United States, reliable access to affordable energy is critical to economic stability, national security, and military readiness. However, geopolitical challenges and increasing threats to critical infrastructure continue to challenge our energy security.
On February 4, 2026, the Washington D.C. Post, in partnership with the Environmental & Energy Management Institute of George Washington University, held the Transatlantic Energy Security Symposium. The one-day event at the National Press Club brought Congressional leadership, defense agencies, allied representatives, and infrastructure experts together to build the partnerships that will strengthen our energy grid in the face of global disruptions.
A Sense of Urgency
Beginning with Richard Nixon, nine presidents since have declared energy security as a national goal for the United States. From the oil crises of the 1970s and the creation of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to the expansion of nuclear and renewable energy sources, the United States has driven a focus on securing its energy supply and the infrastructure that drives it.
In the current geopolitical climate, there is an increased urgency around energy security. At the same time, aging infrastructure and natural disasters continue to test the resilience of the power grid. Events like the Transatlantic Energy Security Symposium offered a platform for SAME, government agencies, and the broader A/E/C community to continue the conversation of how we design and implement more resilient and secure energy systems to ensure mission readiness and defense capabilities for our nation.
Meeting the Moment
The symposium was positioned as an opportunity to coordinate on strategy rather than focus solely on risk. The genesis of the event formed from conversations between the D.C. Post and the George Washington University Environmental and Energy Management Institute about the need for a forum that could connect high-level decision makers to discuss energy security from both the U.S. and European perspectives, staying true to the Society’s commitment to industry-government engagement.
The February symposium is the first in a series of events to build lasting relationships between government and industry. More than 120 professionals attended, representing an impressive cross-section of the professional disciplines who contribute to energy security. The day featured five high-level panel discussions focusing on topics like the role of nuclear energy and other advanced power sources in building a resilient defense energy posture and the intersection of defense requirements and energy markets.
“I could not be more proud of what SAME DC Post and GWU EEMI built together with this symposium,” said Bree Beal, Washington D.C. Post President. “To see Congressional leaders, defense officials, industry innovators, and allied partners all engaged in the same conversation about energy security was truly inspiring. The energy in that room was electric, and I cannot wait to see what comes next. We’re working on a white paper to address several key initiatives, planning topical webinars, and a follow-up symposium next spring.”
The symposium offered a space where industry and government stakeholders and decision-makers could engage in meaningful dialogue and strengthen relationships across the energy sector. The event presented a unique opportunity to exchange perspectives and set priorities designed to impact policy from grid resilience to energy infrastructure investment. By bringing together diverse expertise in one forum, the event not only advanced the conversation on energy security, but also reinforced SAME’s role as the nexus between industry and government where collaboration can take place and partnerships can grow.
“The quality of dialogue throughout the day exceeded every expectation,” said Bree. “This is what industry-government engagement looks like at its best, and it is just the beginning.”
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