Former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson will be at UT on April 24 and 25 to talk about environmental policy and global security. His visit is sponsored by the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy.
Richardson will deliver the Baker Center’s annual Distinguished Energy and Environmental Policy Lecture at 6:00 p.m. on April 24 in the Baker Center’s Toyota Auditorium. The lecture is free and open to the public. Richardson will focus on what policies America should follow to protect the environment.
Richardson also will speak at a Baker Center luncheon at noon on April 25 at the Southern Depot, 318 West Depot Avenue, near the former Regas Restaurant. He will talk about North Korea and global security. Cost of attending the luncheon is $20 per person, and those interested must call 865-974-0931 by April 22 to reserve a spot.
Richardson, now a private citizen, worked in government for more than twenty-eight years, most recently serving as governor of New Mexico from 2003 to 2011.
During his time as governor, he made New Mexico the “Clean Energy State” by requiring 20 percent of New Mexico’s electrical demand be met by using renewable sources. In addition, he established a Renewable Energy Transmission Authority to deliver New Mexico’s renewable resources to the market.
He was US ambassador to the United Nations and the Secretary of Energy in the Clinton administration.
Richardson served in Congress from 1983 to 1997. During that time, he was a special envoy on many sensitive international missions and successfully won the release of hostages, American servicemen, and prisoners in North Korea, Iraq, Cuba, and Sudan. His efforts in these missions earned him three Nobel Peace Prize nominations.
Although he is now a private citizen, Richardson continues to work on issues related to public policy, energy and the environment, and international relations. He recently visited North Korea with Google chief Eric Schmidt and has been named to various boards, including Global Political Strategies, World Resources Institute, Refugees International, and National Council for Science and the Environment.
Richardson received a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University and a master’s degree from Tuft’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 1971.
For more information about Richardson, visit his website.
Established in 2003, the Baker Center seeks to further the public’s knowledge of the US government and public policy and to encourage civil leadership and public service. The center sponsors programs to encourage informed discussion, with a special focus on engaging young people in policy issues and public service.
For more information about the Baker Center, visit bakercenter.utk.edu.
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Richardson will be available to talk to the press following the April 25 luncheon at the Southern Depot.
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C O N T A C T :
Nissa Dahlin-Brown (865-974-8681, nissa@utk.edu)
Amy Blakely (865-974-5034, ablakely@utk.edu)