79-6-409. Energy Education and Workforce Development Advisory Group established -- Energy education and workforce development programs.

665 words·~3 min read·/ut/title-79/chapter-6/79-6-409

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Effective 10/14/2025

(1)As used in this section:

(a)"Advisory group" means the Energy Education and Workforce Development Advisory Group created in this section.

(b)"Core standards" means the science standards established by the state board as described in Section 53E-4-202 .

(c)"Institution of higher education" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53H-1-101 .

(2)Pursuant to Subsection 79-6-301(1)(h) and subject to legislative appropriations and other funding sources, the office shall establish the Energy Education and Workforce Development Advisory Group consisting of the following:

(a)the director of the office, or the director's designee;

(b)the director of the Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining, or the director's designee;

(c)the state superintendent of public instruction, or the superintendent's designee from the State Board of Education elementary science team;

(d)the state superintendent of public instruction, or the superintendent's designee from the State Board of Education secondary science team;

(e)the commissioner of higher education, or the commissioner's designee from Talent Ready Utah;

(f)the president of the Utah Rural Schools Association, or the president's designee;

(g)the president of the Utah Science Teaching Association, or the president's designee;

(h)the chief executive officer of the Utah Municipal Power Agency or the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems, or the chief executive officer's designee;

(i)the executive director of the Utah Rural Electric Cooperative Association, or the executive director's designee;

(j)the president of the Utah Petroleum Association, or the president's designee; and

(k)the president of the Utah Mining Association, or the president's designee.

(3)In consultation with the advisory group, the office shall:

(a)develop and maintain energy education programs and curricula for kindergarten through grade 12 that:

(i)meet core standards;

(ii)align with the state energy policy described in Section 79-6-301 ;

(iii)are appropriate for each grade level; and

(iv)are available to school districts, charter schools, and the public for voluntary use;

(b)develop and provide professional development training for educators that:

(i)promotes the use and appropriate deployment and teaching of the energy education programs and curricula developed under Subsection (3)(a) ;

(ii)builds fluency for educators with the energy education programs and curricula;

(iii)provides educators with opportunities and activities to receive renewal hours for professional licensure; and

(iv)complies with state educator licensure requirements; and

(c)develop energy-related workforce development programs and facilitate collaboration among institutions of higher education, elementary and secondary schools, and industry.

(4)The office may:

(a)include in the curricula other elements of the state energy policy to advance a comprehensive understanding of energy policy;

(b)contract with third-party curriculum development organizations to create the curricula based on guidance from the office and the advisory committee; and

(c)provide comment on the development of Utah science core standards.

(5)The professional development training provided to educators by the office may include:

(a)virtual or in-person classroom instruction;

(b)conferences;

(c)seminars; and

(d)site visits.

(6)An energy-related workforce development program described in Subsection (3)(c) shall:

(a)create expanded, multidisciplinary programs or stackable credential programs;

(b)prepare students for energy industry jobs; and

(c)promote policies consistent with the state energy policy described in Section 79-6-301 .

(7)The advisory group's duties may include providing recommendations to the office regarding the development and implementation of:

(a)energy education programs and curricula in grades kindergarten through grade 12;

(b)professional development trainings for educators;

(c)energy related workforce development programs; and

(d)any potential comments to be submitted on the development of science core standards for Utah public schools for the state.

(8)On or before October 1 of each year, the office shall submit a written report to the Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Interim Committee describing activities, successes, challenges, and funding needs related to the programs and training established in this section.

Amended by Chapter 9 , 2025 Special Session 1