Senate confirms Jennifer Granholm as Biden’s energy secretary



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The Senate confirmed President Biden’s choice for Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm in a 64-35 vote Thursday afternoon.

Granholm will be the second woman to head the Department of Energy after Hazel O’Leary served in the Clinton administration from 1993 to 1997.

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Granholm, the former Democratic governor of Michigan’s auto industry stronghold, has focused on clean energy in recent years. Some Republican senators expressed concern that she would accept the Democrats’ green agenda on Wednesday when the Senate voted 67-32 to end debate over Granholm’s nomination.

Former Governor Jennifer Granholm, D-Mich., Testifies before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources during a hearing to consider her appointment as Secretary of Energy, Wednesday, January 27, 2021 on Capitol Hill Hill in Washington.  (Jim Watson / Pool via AP)

Former Governor Jennifer Granholm, D-Mich., Testifies before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources during a hearing to consider her appointment as Secretary of Energy, Wednesday, January 27, 2021 on Capitol Hill Hill in Washington. (Jim Watson / Pool via AP)
((Jim Watson / Pool via AP))

Senator John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Voted against advancing his nomination on Wednesday.

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“By signing executive orders to ban oil, gas and coal production on federal lands, kill the Keystone XL pipeline and join the Paris climate accord, the president will put thousands of Americans out of work “, he said according to The Detroit. News. “Their livelihood is being sacrificed in the name of the Biden agenda.”

“I cannot in good conscience confirm her in this position knowing that this is the approach this administration is taking,” said Senator Mike Lee, R-Utah, according to The Detroit News. “By executive decision, they are jeopardizing US energy independence and security and they are devastating much of Utah’s economy. I cannot support this and will reluctantly vote against it.”

Other senators praised Granholm.

“I can’t think of anyone better than Governor Granholm to be Secretary of Energy during this time of transformation for our country,” Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-California, wrote on Twitter. “She has always championed clean energy throughout her career and I have no doubts that she will bring the same passion to this position.

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Fox News’ Megan Henney and Ronn Blitzer contributed to this report.

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