Salazar Names Former Richardson Aide, Ned Farquhar, DAS for Land and Minerals Management

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today named Ned Farquhar, a renewable energy and natural resource policy expert and former senior advisor on energy and the environment to New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management. The appointment does not require Senate confirmation. “Our mandate from the President is to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign oil, build a clean-energy economy and make wise use of our conventional energy resources,” Secretary Salazar said. “Ned’s extensive natural resource policy experience and expertise with renewable energy production and transmission make him well-qualified to help us create energy-related jobs here in America, protect our national security and confront the dangers of climate change.” Farquhar was most recently senior advocate for Mountain West Energy/Climate with the Natural Resources Defense Council in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Since 2006, he has developed strategies for the Western Regional Climate Initiative, incorporating seven states and four Canadian provinces, and culminating in the nation’s most comprehensive cap and trade framework in September 2008. The Initiative supports renewable energy development throughout the West. From 2003 to 2006, Farquhar was the senior advisor to New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson on energy and the environment, providing strategic and tactical direction to Richardson’s nationally recognized clean energy program. Farquhar worked with cabinet members to develop legislation, executive orders and communications on climate change, renewable energy, energy efficiency, land management, and energy development. He represented Richardson at the Western Governors’ Association, designing and implementing the governor’s clean and diversified energy program for the WGA. Before that Farquhar was program officer for Western Lands at the David and Lucile Packard Foundation in Los Altos, California. From 2001 to 2003, he developed and implemented national and regional grant campaigns for transportation policy reform, land protection, habitat conservation, growth management and land use...DOI