In March 2025, following UPA’s support and engagement, Utah lawmakers passed HB157 — Energy Education Amendments, a landmark bill aimed at improving energy literacy across the state’s K-12 public education system. The legislation directs the Utah Office of Energy Development (OED) to work with an Energy Education Advisory Group to develop and implement balanced, age-appropriate curriculum resources that reflect the importance of all energy sources — including oil and natural gas — in Utah’s economy, communities and future.

Why It Matters

Energy touches every aspect of modern life, yet many students graduate with little understanding of how it’s produced, delivered or used. HB157 ensures that Utah students receive a well-rounded, fact-based foundation in energy education — helping them become informed citizens and future leaders in an energy-driven world. For a state rich in natural resources, this bill represents a proactive investment in workforce readiness and scientific literacy.

UPA’s Role

As the leading voice for Utah’s oil and natural gas industry, the Utah Petroleum Association (UPA) played an active role in supporting the passage of HB157 — from providing testimony and technical input to building bipartisan support and engaging member companies in the process. Now, as the state moves into the implementation phase, UPA continues to work closely with OED and the Advisory Group — alongside key partners such as Utah State Board of Education (USBE), Utah Rural Electric Cooperative Association (URECA), Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS), Utah Science Teaching Association (UTSTA), Utah Mining Association (UMA) and others — to ensure that the industry’s role in powering Utah is accurately represented in the classroom.

UPA is proud to support efforts that empower students with energy knowledge rooted in science, economics and real-world application. This is just the beginning of a long-term commitment to advancing energy literacy in Utah.