Former U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm Endorses Prop 45 to Accelerate Clean Energy Development & Lower Cost of Living for Families
September 3, 2026
Former U.S. Energy Secretary and Michigan Governor backs measure
Sacramento, CA — Former U.S. Secretary of Energy and two-term Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm announced her support for YES on Prop 45, the Building an Affordable California Act, citing the measure as a critical step toward lowering California’s high cost of living by making it faster and more affordable to build clean energy infrastructure and other essential projects.
“As Energy Secretary, I saw firsthand that we cannot build the clean energy future we need if we don’t’ address the gridlock that delays and blocks these vital projects,” said former U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. “And as Governor, I worked hard to address kitchen table issues like affordability and building the basic infrastructure to support families. That’s why I’m proud to support Prop 45 because it takes a balanced approach to meeting California’s clean energy and affordability goals.”
Clean energy generation, storage, transmission and grid projects can be delayed for years by red tape, duplicative review and litigation—driving up costs and making it harder to deliver affordable, reliable power to California families. Prop 45 establishes clear, enforceable timelines and consistent rules for agency decisions and judicial review—cutting project delays by 3 to 9+ years and providing the certainty needed to build at scale.
Proposition 45 also streamlines the review of other essential projects families need, including housing, water infrastructure, clean energy, transportation infrastructure, hospitals and health care facilities, schools, broadband, and wildfire prevention projects.
Granholm continued: “We don’t have to choose between protecting the environment and building the clean energy infrastructure we need. Prop 45 proves we can do both—cutting costly delays while maintaining strong environmental protections so California can build faster and deliver more affordable, reliable power.”
Granholm brings decades of experience advancing clean energy deployment and modernizing the electric grid. She joins a growing coalition of clean energy leaders backing Prop 45, including American Clean Power – California, the California Wind Energy Association, Environmental Policy Innovation Center, Large-Scale Solar Association, California Energy Storage Alliance, California Hydrogen Coalition and California Biomass Energy Alliance.
BACKGROUND: Prop 45, the Building an Affordable California Act, modernizes California’s project approval and permitting process for essential projects — including housing, water infrastructure, clean energy, transportation infrastructure, hospitals and health care facilities, schools, broadband, and wildfire prevention projects — by establishing clear timelines, improving accountability, and reducing unnecessary delays, while preserving strong environmental, labor, and tribal cultural resource protections. Prop 45 is supported by a broad and growing coalition of 160+ organizations, including affordable housing advocates, civil rights leaders, clean energy builders, water providers, agricultural groups, and business organizations statewide.
Learn More: YESonProp45.com