The formulation of the Energy Curriculum Institute by the University of Houston at Clear Lake City was based upon the idea that a new approach was needed to develop effective energy education programs. Institute staff assumed that education could no longer depend upon federal and state educational energy agencies for curricular or financial leadership for projects. A brief description of the institutes, including their funding, speakers and materials, instruction, grading system, and balanced perspective, serves as an example of a model for shared local resources which staff propose as the necessary new approach to energy programs. The model assumes that energy education programs: (1) depend upon teacher education programs; (2) require increased cooperation between universities, school districts, energy companies, government agencies, environmental groups, and others; and (3) will be funded increasingly by private local sources. The groups which provided significant support for the institutes through speakers, materials, and field trips are described. (DC)