(a)
The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall provide for the development of a model energy education program appropriate for use by school districts maintaining kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive. In developing the model program, the superintendent may utilize or incorporate existing instructional materials in the area of energy and other available resources, so long as the superintendent determines that they are reasonably balanced and objective, or are capable of being used in conjunction with other materials to establish a reasonably balanced and objective perspective. The model program, including the review of the utilization or incorporation of existing instructional materials in the area of energy and other available resources, shall be developed in consultation with the California Energy Commission, and shall be periodically updated to incorporate additional technological changes.
The model program shall include an accurate, objective assessment of the nation’s current and projected energy supplies and a review of the nation’s progress in the development of alternative energy resources, with an emphasis on renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
(b)
The model program shall be designed to provide instruction to pupils regarding all of the following:
(1)
The finite nature of our nation’s current basic energy resources.
(2)
The effects of energy extraction from nonrenewable resources on the environment.
(3)
An examination of the balance between consumer demands for energy and the need for energy conservation, as well as the effect of present energy usage on the energy needs of future generations.
(4)
An examination of policy issues regarding the use of alternative energy resources, including the weatherization of homes and businesses, individual and business energy conservation, the availability of incentives to promote the development of renewable energy resources, and the cost-effectiveness of various types of energy production such as fossil fuels, nuclear energy, solar power, wind power, and geothermal energy.
(5)
An examination of the viability of energy conservation as an energy resource.