Carper Statement on the Nomination of Jennifer Granholm to Lead the Department of Energy

“When the eyes of the world were on Michigan and the iconic American auto industry descended into financial disarray, Governor Granholm went to bat for working families and businesses in her state. She worked directly with President Obama and Vice President Biden to defend and deliver the auto industry from economic collapse, saving the millions of jobs depending on the industry to survive.

“It’s been said that the ultimate test of a leader is how they handle a crisis. With Governor Granholm at the helm, the state of Michigan emerged from the depths of the Great Recession even stronger as a national leader in clean energy technologies. Governor Granholm believes in the potential of American innovation and ingenuity because she has seen it for herself. She has witnessed the same companies that once relied on the internal combustion engine evolve, and now lead the world in electric and alternative fuel vehicle technologies.

“Governor Granholm has proven that investments in clean energy technologies can usher in economic recovery, renewal and prosperity. Her strategic vision helped to make Michigan a leader in clean energy manufacturing—just imagine what she will do at the U.S. Department of Energy. She will harness the department’s tremendous research power, empower American entrepreneurialism and invention, and bring innovation out of the labs and into our communities. She will support the clean cars of the future and the next generation of zero-emitting technologies from offshore wind to advanced nuclear. She will ensure that our nation has the clean energy resources we need to make the transition to a carbon-free economy, and she will make damn sure that American industries, manufacturing communities and workers reap the benefits of that transition.

“Governor Granholm knows that we can build back better through low carbon measures because she’s done it before. And she can do it again. As our nation reels from the COVID-19 pandemic, this historic economic downturn and the worsening climate crisis, I am excited to hear Governor Granholm’s ideas to realize President-elect Biden’s vision to build back better than ever.