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Panel backs bill to create state energy curriculum and teacher professional development
Summary
HB 157 would require the Office of Energy Development to develop optional K–12 energy curriculum, provide professional development for teachers, create an industry task force, and use available federal SEP funds to support ongoing work.
Representative Jack presented House Bill 157 to create an optional state energy curriculum and a voluntary industry task force to help develop and distribute materials to K–12 teachers. The bill tasks the Office of Energy Development with creating energy education resources, funding professional development tied to teacher relicensure, coordinating with TalentReady workforce development, and reporting annually to the Public Utilities and Energy Committee.
Why it matters: Supporters said the curriculum will expose students to where energy comes from, expand awareness of energy careers and workforce pathways, and link educators with industry through site visits and training — all intended to strengthen the state workforce pipeline in energy sectors.
Jack said the activity builds on an existing state policy that calls for energy education and places responsibility with the Office of Energy Development. Mary Parkinson, the office’s education specialist and a former classroom teacher, said the materials would align with Utah’s science standards and help teachers prepare students for required assessments. She said the program is voluntary for teachers, would offer relicensure credit for training, and would use federal State Energy Program (SEP) funding now administered by the Office of Energy Development.
Committee members asked whether the bill imposes costs on local education agencies. Parkinson and the sponsor said funding comes from federal SEP grants and would not require LEA contributions. Representative Moss and others asked questions about curriculum balance; presenters emphasized an "all‑of‑the‑above" approach to energy that would include fossil fuels, renewables and emerging technologies.
Public testimony included representatives from the Utah Petroleum Association and Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems, both urging support for the workforce pipeline element. Representative Eliason moved to favorably recommend HB 157; the committee approved the motion by voice vote and the transcript reports unanimous passage.
Votes at a glance: Committee favorably recommended HB 157; recorded in the transcript as unanimous (exact roll‑call not provided).
