Biden to tap former Michigan governor to lead DOE

December 16, 2020, 12:11PMANS Nuclear Cafe

Granholm

President-elect Joe Biden will pick former Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm to run the Department of Energy, Politico reported on December 15. The DOE is expected to play a key role in helping develop the technologies needed to fulfill Biden’s pledge to move the country off fossil fuels.

Historic appointment: If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Granholm would be only the second woman to lead the DOE since its creation in 1977. Hazel O’Leary served as energy secretary under President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 1997.

DOE’s role: Most of the DOE’s budget is devoted to maintaining the country's nuclear weapons arsenal, but it also operates the 17 national labs that have helped develop advanced technology used in nuclear energy, renewables, and fossil fuel production.


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