09/16/2026
USAEE Conference — Register by Sept. 30 & Save | Panel Spotlight: Powering Appalachia’s Future
Featuring Francisco de la Chesnaye, Mitch DeRubis and Shanti Gamper-Rabindran
Two weeks remain to register for the 2026 USAEE North American Conference before late-registration rates take effect. Register by September 30, and then join us November 15–18 in Pittsburgh!
43rd USAEE North American Conference
Sunday, November 15 through Wednesday, November 18
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Pittsburgh Downtown
Reservations are also open at the conference host hotel, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Pittsburgh Downtown at the special USAEE group rate of $159 per night.
The theme for this year's conference is DISRUPTION: The State of Energy Markets in 2026 and Beyond. Sessions will feature vital and timely topics including crude oil supply disruptions, large load growth in electricity markets, energy affordability, natural gas and LNG, nuclear, coal and its place in the energy mix, and more. Join us in Pittsburgh and hear what leading subject matter experts have to say about these and other topics, all against the backdrop of the extraordinary energy market disruptions of 2026.
Powering Appalachia's Future: Innovation, Resilience, and Regional Opportunity
This session brings together leading voices from across the Appalachian region to discuss the evolving energy landscape and the opportunities and challenges it presents for communities, industries, and policymakers alike. Panelists will discuss topics related to how the region’s diverse energy resources—from natural gas to solar to wind, opportunities for advanced manufacturing emerging hydrogen hubs, and reclamation-driven economic development—are reshaping long-term growth trajectories. The session aims to highlight the economic, environmental, and workforce considerations critical to building a resilient energy future in the region.
Panelists
Francisco de la Chesnaye Dr. de la Chesnaye is responsible for executive leadership, energy strategy, and business development. He has more than 25 years of experience implementing initiatives in the private sector, non-profit organizations, and national governments related to climate change, energy systems, and environmental sustainability. Dr. de la Chesnaye has served on external expert panels including EPA’s Scientific Advisory Board, the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, and the 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the University of Maryland.
Mitch DeRubis Mr. DeRubis manages the Economic Consulting segment of FTI. He offers data-driven insights on U.S. power and natural gas markets that support strategic planning, M&A activity, and expert testimony for a diverse range of energy sector participants. He developed FTI’s U.S. power modeling infrastructure and leads market simulation engagements combining deep market knowledge with best-in-class methods and data. He holds an M.S. in Mineral & Energy Economics from the Colorado School of Mines, an M.S. in Analytics from Georgia Tech, and a B.A. in Economics & Political Science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Shanti Gamper-Rabindran Dr. Gamper-Rabindran is a professor at the University of Pittsburgh with appointments in the School of Public and International Affairs (primary) and the School of Law and Department of Economics (secondary). She undertakes interdisciplinary studies on the just energy transition, environmental protection, and sustainable economic development. She is the author of America’s Energy Gamble: People, Economy and Planet and contributing editor of the Shale Dilemma: A Global Perspective. She has published in peer reviewed journals including Journal of Environmental Economics & Management, Journal of Regulatory Economics, Energy Research and Social Sciences and in law journals.
Moderator
Amanda Harker Steele Dr. Amanda Harker Steele is a Senior Energy Economist at Southwest Power Pool (SPP), a Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) that manages the electric grid and wholesale power market for much of the central United States. At SPP, Dr. Harker Steele focuses on developing new and revising existing market design concepts. She and her team are tasked with ensuring such concepts are grounded in foundational economic principles to maintain the assurance of economically efficient and also reliable market outcomes for SPP and its members. Additionally, Dr. Harker Steele serves as the President of the Three Rivers Chapter of USAEE.
In addition to a dynamic lineup of speakers, conference highlights include:
- The opening reception: Kick off conference in style at the DoubleTree Pittsburgh Downtown's elegant upper foyer.
- Arrive earlier on Sunday, November 15 and join us for an exclusive tour of a Pittsburgh-area energy facility. Tour site and details coming soon; registration required.
- Unparalleled networking and career-building opportunities — for both students and professionals
- Concurrent sessions featuring research, case studies, and analysis from industry, academia, and government practitioners.
Don’t miss out on this must-attend event!
Now is also the perfect time to join us as a conference or association sponsor! Provide vital support for USAEE's mission and enjoy a range of benefits that enhance visibility and impact both at the conference and year-round!
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