Ex-New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson joins board of Henderson firm

New Mexico Governor, Bill Richardson, speaking to a group of voters about the upcoming election at the College of Southern Nevada, Cheyenne campus in East Las Vegas, on Saturday September 13, 2008. Richardson is endorsing Barack Obama for the Presidency. (Martin S. Fuentes/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has joined the board of a Henderson clean energy company.

Blue Earth Inc. appointed Richardson, saying he was a “leading proponent of renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions.”

As governor, Richardson required utilities to meet 20 percent of New Mexico’s electrical demand from renewable resources, and established a Renewable Energy Transmission Authority to deliver the state’s renewable resources to market.

“I’m excited to share my expertise with the Blue Earth team to advance alternative (and) renewable energy and energy-efficient projects,” Richardson said.

Richardson served two terms as New Mexico governor, from 2003 to 2011. Before that, he was U.S. Energy secretary, U.N. ambassador and congressman from New Mexico.

He ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for president in 2008.

“We are honored with the addition of Gov. Richardson to our board,” said Laird Cagan, chairman of Blue Earth. “His extensive expertise in the energy industry makes him a great addition for advancing the company’s long-term growth objectives.”