Senate confirms Granholm as Energy Secretary in 64-35 vote

The US Senate confirmed Jennifer M. Granholm’s nomination to be US Energy Secretary by a vote of 64-35. Sworn in as the 16th Secretary of Energy on Feb. 25, Granholm becomes the second woman to lead the US Department of Energy (DOE). 

Prior to her nomination as Secretary of Energy, Granholm was the first woman elected Governor of Michigan, serving two terms from 2003 to 2011. Secretary Granholm was also the first woman elected Attorney General of Michigan and served as the state’s top law enforcement officer from 1998 to 2002.

After two terms as governor, Granholm joined the faculty of the University of California, Berkeley as a Distinguished Professor of Practice in the Goldman School of Public Policy, focusing on the intersection of law, clean energy, manufacturing, policy, and industry. She also served as an advisor to the Clean Energy Program of the Pew Charitable Trusts.

“We welcome the secretary’s recognition of the importance of technological advancement and US LNG exports in building on American energy progress and developing global climate solutions to achieve the ambitions of the Paris Agreement,” said American Petroleum Institute President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Sommers following the vote.

“The department’s early focus on research and development is encouraging, and we are committed to partnering with Secretary Granholm to further advance innovation as well as the modern infrastructure that’s needed to safely and responsibly deliver American energy across the country and around the world," he said.