Governors head for Utah hills: Deer Valley ? Western leaders tackle energy, climate change

They've been invited to take on the Wasatch Back trails on mountain bikes and horses. But the formal Western Governors Association agenda has them tackling questions of energy and climate change with the help of three U.S. Cabinet secretaries and other experts from four continents.

"The West is pioneering the new clean energy economy, demonstrating to the nation that we can grow our economy while reducing pollution," said Dan Grossman of the Environmental Defense Fund, part of a broad-based coalition applauding the meeting's clean-energy focus.

Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., the departing chairman of the bipartisan Western Governors Association, was scheduled to host the three-day think- and talk-fest.

Huntsman is expected to make opening remarks Sunday, then hand over the chairmanship to Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, the organization's vice chairman. Ordinarily the leadership change would take place at the conclusion of the meeting, but Huntsman has virtually eliminated his public exposure since being nominated last month to become U.S. Ambassador to China.

Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert is also expected to participate in a schedule that will include political events, as well as the panel discussions.

Republican pollster and political consultant Frank Luntz is scheduled to speak on "What Americans Really Think." Luntz is the wordsmith credited with urging the GOP to talk

about "climate change" instead of "global warming" and the "death tax" instead of the "estate tax."

The group also has discussion sessions on tapping the West's renewable energy potential, managing water in a changing world, combating global climate change and fostering international cooperation on energy and the environment.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu will be on hand, as will Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick and Chair of the President's Council on Environmental Quality Nancy Sutley are scheduled to participate.

So are energy and climate experts from China, Australia, the Middle East and Europe.

The governors have at least one resolution on their agenda: a call to action on climate change.

fahys@sltrib.com

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