The U.S. Senate has confirmed Jennifer Granholm, former two-term governor of Michigan, as Secretary of Energy. Secretary Granholm most recently served on the faculty of the University of Caliofrnia, Berkeley as a Distinguished Professor of Pracice in the Goldman School of Public Policy.
“NASEO’s firsthand experience working with then-Governor Granholm through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy gives us great optimism for the future of the U.S. Department of Energy and for our country’s clean energy economy,” notes David Terry, NASEO Executive Director. “Her keen understanding of the importance of states in the development of innovative energy, transportation, manufacturing, and workforce policy makes her uniquely qualified to mobilize smart policies and equitable investments to address the challenges before us, from economic recovery to climate change.”
To learn more about Secretary Granholm’s qualifications for the post, read NASEO’s January 2021 letter of support to Senate leadership encouraging Granholm’s confirmation.
One of Secretary Granholm’s first priorities is the revival of the Loan Programs Office, which she has appointed Jigar Shah, a leading clean energy financier and entrepreneur, to lead. Mr. Shah most recently served as the Co-Founder and President of Generate Capital, a specialty clean energy finance firm, and has also served as an advisor to NASEO’s Inclusive Shared Solar Initiative.
“NASEO was delighted to learn of the appointment of Jigar Shah as Director of the Loan Programs Office,” added Mr. Terry. “Mr. Shah’s creative thinking, work ethic, and intellect have been driving forces in U.S. solar development. We are eager to support him as he transforms the Loan Programs Office’s portfolio and accelerates much-needed investments into the U.S. clean energy economy.”
The Loan Programs Office provides loan guarantees for a variety of projects, including advanced fossil and nuclear energy projects, advanced technology vehicle manufacturing, and energy efficiency and renewable energy, including loans for federally recognized tribes. More information about the Loan Programs Office is available at https://www.energy.gov/lpo/loan-programs-office.