Former Michigan Gov. Granholm Picked To Lead Energy Department

Democratic President-elect Joe Biden is nominating former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm as his Secretary of Energy, according to reports.

Granholm, 61, a Democrat who served as Michigan's governor from 2003 to 2011 and endorsed Biden in March, will fill the cabinet position and would oversee the nation's scientific research and the U.S. nuclear arsenal, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.

Granholm would figure to serve a crucial role in Biden's campaign pledge of achieving net-zero emissions in the U.S. by 2050.

Prior to serving as Michigan's governor, Granholm was the state's attorney general from 1999 to 2003. She served two terms as Michigan's governor — the first woman to hold that title in the state.

Granholm faced an economic downturn before the Great Recession struck when she was Michigan's governor, according to The Associated Press, and sought to diversify the state that is known for being a key cog in the automotive industry by emphasizing the growing “green economy.” In return, Michigan incentivized the manufacturing of wind turbines, solar panels and electronic vehicles.

Since the end of her run as Michigan's governor, Granholm has worked on several energy-related initiatives across the U.S., according to USA Today, including transforming the energy industry in the U.S. away from fossil fuels and toward renewable resources. She's also worked as a political contributor at CNN.

Described by the WSJ as a renewable energy advocate, Granholm could help prioritize developing low-carbon energy sources by offering federal loans, the paper postulated.

The former governor founded the American Jobs Project as well, a nonpartisan nonprofit and think-tank that focuses on energy and job creation.

Granholm was included on President Barack Obama’s list of possible replacements for retiring Justice Paul Stevens in 2010 and would have been appointed to a position had Hillary Clinton won the 2016 election, according to reports.

Reporting and information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.