12/17/2025
A Message from the President: A Year of Resilience, Relevance, and Renewed Foundations
USAEE NEWSLETTER | WINTER 2025
From Dean Foreman, 2025 President, USAEE
As we reach the end of the year, I want to extend my sincere appreciation to our members, volunteers, chapter leaders, board colleagues, and partners who have supported and strengthened the U.S. Association for Energy Economics throughout 2025. This has been a year defined by meaningful progress in the fundamentals that keep our organization strong.
Strengthening Our Foundation
This year, USAEE placed renewed emphasis on financial clarity and organizational transparency. We sharpened our visibility into revenues and obligations, examined our cost structure more closely, and strengthened the processes that support day-to-day operations. That work resulted in real, measurable improvements—including corporate fundraising that increased by more than 60% year-over-year, reflecting both renewed support from longstanding partners and interest from new sponsors. Combined with improved financial oversight, this has materially bolstered USAEE’s position heading into 2026.
These achievements reflect the dedication of our board, the commitment of our volunteers, and the reputation USAEE has earned through decades of convening serious, nonpartisan energy dialogue.
A Conference That Delivered Relevance and High Engagement
A central highlight of the year was the annual USAEE/IAEE North American Conference--one of the strongest and most relevant we’ve hosted in some time. Despite broader headwinds in travel budgets and industry uncertainty:
- Conference registrations increased by more than 10% year-over-year,
- Engagement in keynote and plenary sessions was exceptionally high,
- And the feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive.
This year’s agenda stood out for its breadth and cross-industry integration. The program brought together macroeconomic perspectives, trade and competitiveness discussions, cross-sector technology insights, and timely analysis of oil, gas, electricity, and financial markets. The keynote and plenary sessions were especially interactive and well-received, with abundant Q&A, audience participation, and genuine engagement between speakers and attendees.
The conference reminded us of what USAEE uniquely offers: a forum where academia, industry, and policy experts come together not to advocate positions, but to examine issues rigorously, exchange ideas, and improve the way we understand energy markets.
A Pivotal Moment for USAEE–IAEE Relations
Looking ahead, USAEE enters a period of transition. Earlier this year, IAEE elected to withdraw from the 2026 joint North American Conference, a decision that left USAEE in a difficult and unexpected position given the planning horizon and financial implications. At the same time, USAEE’s board determined that the existing Memorandum of Understanding--particularly its revenue-sharing structure--was not equitable or financially sustainable for USAEE.
Taken together, these developments made our path forward clear: USAEE will discontinue the MOU with IAEE, and there will be no joint conference in 2026.
This is not a break in mission or values, but a necessary step to protect USAEE’s operational stability and ensure that member resources directly support our work. It also creates an important opportunity to reflect on—and reshape—what kind of relationship with IAEE best serves our members in the years ahead.
Your Voice Is Essential
To navigate this moment thoughtfully, we need your perspectives. Over the coming months, we will be asking for member input on several questions:
- What should USAEE’s future relationship with IAEE look like?
- What forms of collaboration truly enhance member value?
- Where should USAEE maintain independence, and where might cooperation still make sense?
- How should we approach joint initiatives—or whether we should pursue them at all?
You will receive a structured survey early next year, and I strongly encourage all members to respond. I also welcome informal feedback and conversations at any time.
Looking Forward with Confidence
USAEE succeeded this year despite a challenging environment, thanks to this community’s commitment to open dialogue, rigorous analysis, and collegial exchange across the full spectrum of energy economics. Our strength comes from the active participation and professionalism of our members.
As my term concludes, it is a privilege to hand the leadership of USAEE to Greg Upton, who will serve as our 2026 President. Greg brings strong judgment, deep analytical grounding, and an abiding commitment to USAEE’s mission. The organization is in excellent hands for the year ahead.
Thank you for your support, your engagement, and your commitment to this organization. It has been an honor to serve as your 2025 President, and I look forward to supporting USAEE’s continued momentum under Greg’s leadership in 2026.
Warm regards,
Dean Foreman
President, USAEE (2025)
Dean Foreman (dforeman@txoga.org) is chief economist for the Texas Oil and Gas Association.