Biden to tap former Michigan Gov. Granholm to lead Energy Department

Granholm, who served two terms as Michigan's governor, is experienced in dealing with the auto industry.

Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm speaks onstage at Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Calif. Steve Jennings

President-elect Joe Biden will pick former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm to run the Energy Department, the agency that would play a key role in helping develop the technologies needed fulfill his pledge to move the country off fossil fuels.

Granholm, who served two terms as Michigan's governor, is experienced in dealing with the auto industry — a potentially big advantage as the new president seeks to speed the rollout of electric vehicles and the network of charging stations needed to power them.