A paper analyzed the opportunities for developing a vocational energy education program under existing legislation, summarized the present status of energy-related vocational education, and addressed major issues that need resolution before energy-related vocational education can be expanded. There is a particular lack of sufficient funding for current secondary level programs and little funding for developing new programs. While extensive curriculum and instructional materials development is taking place, this development is inadequately supported, duplicative, undocumented, and not shared within the field. Lack of clear distinction between vocational energy education and general education about energy is another problem impeding policy formation. Definition of vocational energy education will become feasible when the existing legal and institutional sanctions for vocational energy education (such as the National Energy Plan) and supportive education, the future energy supply, and short- and long-term job market analyses are related to current policies, legislation, and practices and to predicted educational needs. Research in all these areas and greater program dissemination efforts are needed. (Appendixes contain lists of vocational energy education sources, brief descriptions of vocational energy education and federal legislation, an analysis of future energy sources, and a historical perspective on definitions of vocational education.) (MN)