The group represents 19 states stretching from Texas to Hawaii and Alaska along with western Canadian provinces. The WGA develops and advances policy on issues ranging from the environment to international relations.

Huntsman said his appointment comes at a historic time for the West, which is facing immense challenges to provide clean energy from its vast resources of coal, solar and wind.

"We are on the cusp of a revolution, the likes we have not seen since the joining of the east and west by the transcontinental railway in 1869," Huntsman said. "Utah will have a chance to participate with the whole west in harmonizing our approach to powering the future."

This year's western governors' conference, which continues through Tuesday, is focused on ways to accelerate the development of clean energy in the face of global warming.