WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm traveled to Michigan for her first visit to the state as a member of President Biden's Cabinet to make the case for his Build Back Better agenda and how it will invest in domestic manufacturing, build a clean energy economy, and create millions of good-paying jobs.
Secretary Granholm also highlighted the White House’s announcement of a new national target of 50% electric vehicle sales share in 2030.
In the News
CBS Detroit: US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm Visits SE Michigan For Historic EV Announcement
Granholm’s Michigan visit Thursday comes on the day President Biden met with the big 3 and the UAW to make this historic announcement. Granholm along with US Representative Elissa Slotkin toured the Magna Electronics facility in Holly.
“All of the stuff that the vehicles have inside of them like the stuff that the supplier Magna produces we want that to be made in America,” Granholm said.
Granholm says facilities like these are here in Michigan, creating more jobs.
“This particular facility use to have 250 people working at it when I was Governor, it now has 500 people in this facility working at it and it’s only going to grow,” said Granholm.
The Detroit News: Granholm back in Michigan, gets a glimpse of 'guilt-free' Hummer EV
Granholm toured Metro Detroit on the day President Joe Biden, joined by leaders of the Detroit Three automakers, presented a plan to gradually raise mileage and emissions standards over the next five years and set a goal of making half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 emissions-free.
Granholm added that the committed aspiration from the Detroit Three automakers means “we're going to be building the supply chains here in Michigan, we're going to be building the vehicles here in Michigan, Michigan is the point of the spear with respect to the future of the electric vehicle.”
Top surrogates for the president are traveling throughout the country as part of a "massive push" to tout his $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package, which includes electric vehicle infrastructure investment.
Fox 2 Detroit: US Energy Secretary former Governor Granholm touts infrastructure package
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm is a big part of a massive push behind the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package.
"For Michigan, it's going to mean over $7 billion in investment in highways here," she said. "Talk about fixing the damn roads - this is going to be significant. It's $536 million dollars for bridges."
Granholm told The Oakland Press that her visit to Michigan, on this day, is “very intentional.” She said that her main message as she traveled across the county was to “underscore what it looks like” when suppliers and the automakers are creating “good jobs” as a result of the announcements today and due to the continued increase in demand for electionics and electrification of vehicles.
“(The announcement from The Big Three) is amazing,” said Granholm to reporters in Holly. “What that means for us is that all of the stuff that the vehicles have inside of them, like what Magna produces, we want to be made in America. We want supply chains to be made in America. I’m really proud to be here with Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin. She has been the champion for supply chain in this country.”
The timing of her visit was intentional – Biden announced Thursday his new target of getting 50% of all new vehicles to be electric by 2030, and the Big Three automakers pledged their support.
Granholm wants the supplies to be made in Michigan.
“The United States need not rely on other countries – potentially adversaries – for the supplies to make the electric vehicle,” Granholm said. “We want to make the batteries here. We want to make the chips here. We want to make the vehicles here. We want to make the whole thing, soup to nuts.”
On Social Media
Rep. Elissa Slotkin @RepSlotkin: Make. It. In. Michigan. Great to welcome @SecGranholm to Holly for a tour of @MagnaInt to talk semiconductor supply chains, @POTUS’ plan for EV production, and how Michigan’s manufacturing backbone is key to addressing climate change.
Rep. Haley Stevens @RepHaleyStevens: It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Energy Sectary Granholm back to Michigan to discuss the very important topics of electrification and supply chains! Thank you @secgranholm for your participation in our roundtable today and for your diligence on these issues.
Secretary Jennifer Granholm @SecGranholm: .@POTUS is 100% committed to making sure underserved communities are at the forefront of his #BuildBackBetter Agenda. Thoughtful conversation with @RepHaleyStevens and energy justice leaders today on deeply investing in #ClimateAction & clean energy while lifting communities.
Brenda Lawrence @RepLawrence: It was great to be with @ENERGY Secretary @JenGranholm and members of the MI Delegation today to tour GM's Factory ZERO. GM and Michigan workers are leading the way in electric vehicles, and with this Administration's support, we will build back better than ever before.
###