S-1686               _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 5835

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Senators Benitz and Rasmussen

Read first time 2/9/89 and referred to Committee on  Energy & Utilities.

AN ACT Relating to energy education; adding a new section to chapter 28A.05 RCW; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that as several years have passed since the state has been subject to an energy supply crisis, the critical importance of energy to the state's economy has lost its prominence and visibility.  The legislature further finds that keeping the importance of energy in the minds of state residents is essential as a means to help avert a future energy supply crisis and that citizens need to be aware of the importance and trade-offs associated with energy efficiency and the need for long-term stable supplies of energy.  One efficient and effective method of informing the state's citizens on energy issues is to begin in the school system, where information may guide energy use decisions for decades into the future.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 28A.05 RCW to read as follows:

          The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall develop an energy information program for use in local school districts.  The program shall utilize existing curriculum which may include curriculum as developed by districts or the state relating to the requirement under RCW 28A.05.010 that schools provide instruction in science with special reference to the environment, and shall include but not be limited to the following elements:

          (1) The fundamental role energy plays in the national and regional economy;

          (2) Descriptions and explanations of the various sources of energy which are used both regionally and nationally; and

          (3) Advantages and disadvantages to the various sources of present and future supplies of energy.

          Under this section the office of superintendent of public instruction shall emphasize providing teacher training and dissemination of energy education curriculum.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     The sum of forty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction for the purposes of this act.