05/22/2026

A Message from the President

USAEE NEWSLETTER | SUMMER 2026

 

BY GREG UPTON | PRESIDENT, USAEE

It is a privilege to serve as President of the United States Association for Energy Economics (USAEE) during what has been a dynamic period for global energy markets. Over the past year, energy economists have witnessed developments that underscore both the complexity and importance of our field. Conflict involving Iran and broader regional tensions have contributed to uncertainty in global oil and natural gas markets, while at the same time projected electricity demand growth across much of the developed world has reached levels not seen in more than a decade. At the same time, policymakers, businesses, and consumers continue to grapple with the interplay between geopolitics, energy security, affordability, and efforts to decarbonize energy systems. In many ways, the story of energy in 2026 has been one of infrastructure expansion on both the “molecules” and “electrons” fronts, as societies seek to balance reliability, affordability, and environmental objectives while meeting growing energy demand.

Against this backdrop, USAEE continues to provide a forum for rigorous analysis and constructive dialogue across academia, industry, government, and the nonprofit sector. One of the encouraging developments this year has been the level of member engagement. I would like to thank everyone who volunteered to serve on a USAEE committee. We have seen exceptionally strong participation across our committee structure, and that enthusiasm reflects the strength of our organization and the willingness of members to contribute their time and expertise in service of the profession.

At a time when energy systems are becoming more complex and interconnected, the need for accessible, high-quality energy education has never been greater. This year also marks the first partnership between USAEE and Louisiana State University on the Energy Fundamentals program, which is being hosted in Baton Rouge. We are encouraged by the strong response to both the June session and our July session, which will be held next week. The program strengthens participants' understanding of energy markets, policy, and economics. We are hopeful that this partnership will continue to grow in the years ahead and further expand USAEE’s educational offerings and professional development opportunities.

Our annual conference continues to be a focal point for the association, and we are excited about what lies ahead in Pittsburgh from November 15–18. Conference submissions have been exceptionally strong, representing the largest number of submissions we have received since the pandemic. This response demonstrates the vitality of energy economics research and practice and promises an outstanding program. Early registration rates remain available through the end of July, and I encourage members to register early and make plans to join us in Pittsburgh.

I am also pleased to report that USAEE will be well represented at the 2027 Allied Social Science Associations (ASSA) Annual Meeting, which will be held January 3–5, 2027, in Washington, DC. We have assembled three outstanding sessions and received an extremely competitive pool of submissions. Acceptance rates were below 25 percent, making this our most competitive ASSA selection process to date. The quality of submissions reflects both the growing interest in energy economics and the strength of the research community that supports our field.

Many members have also expressed interest in the evolving relationship between USAEE and the International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE). I am pleased to report that USAEE and IAEE have established a joint committee to evaluate the future partnership between our organizations. While discussions continue, our organizations remain engaged on a variety of important initiatives, including our ongoing collaboration at ASSA. I will be attending the IAEE International Conference in Santiago later this summer and continue to serve as USAEE’s representative on the IAEE Council. Energy economics is inherently international in scope, and I remain hopeful that USAEE and IAEE can maintain a constructive and fruitful partnership for many years to come.

As always, thank you for your continued support of USAEE. The strength of this organization comes from the engagement, scholarship, and professionalism of its members. I look forward to seeing many of you in Pittsburgh this November and to continuing our work together in the months ahead.

Greg Upton (gupton3@lsu.edu) is Executive Director of the LSU Center for Energy Institute and President of the United States Association for Energy Economics.