WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate voted to confirm former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm as secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, making her just the second woman to lead the department since its creation in 1977. As governor, Granholm helped steer Michigan’s economy toward clean energy and electric vehicles following the 2008 financial crisis, leading the state to become the fifth-largest employer of clean energy workers in the U.S. and home to the second-most jobs in clean vehicles. She also founded the American Jobs Project, which was dedicated to bolstering clean energy manufacturing jobs in the United States.
Statement from Bob Keefe, executive director of E2:
“There’s nobody who can energize the Department of Energy like Jennifer Granholm. Her unbridled commitment, unique experience helping burgeoning industries to power an economic recovery and keen understanding of clean energy as a job creator is just what America needs right now.
“Governor Granholm has the vision and leadership to keep us competitive on the global stage while creating new job opportunities for all Americans as we get back on the path to a cleaner, better economy.”
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Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) is a national, nonpartisan group of business leaders, investors, and professionals from every sector of the economy who advocate for smart policies that are good for the economy and good for the environment. Our members have founded or funded more than 2,500 companies, created more than 600,000 jobs, and manage more than $100 billion in venture and private equity capital. For more information, see www.e2.org or follow us on Twitter at @e2org.