Feb 20 (Reuters) - Jennifer Granholm, the former U.S.

secretary of energy and a Democratic two-term governor of

Michigan, has been appointed to the boards of Edison

International ( EIX ) and its subsidiary, Southern California

Edison, effective April 1, the company announced on Thursday.

Granholm brings extensive experience in energy policy,

particularly in advancing clean energy initiatives and

zero-carbon technologies, from both her time in the Biden

administration and her tenure leading Michigan.

"We're thrilled she is joining our boards, and we look

forward to the guidance she will provide based on her

understanding of the technical, political and economic forces

shaping our industry today." said Pedro J. Pizarro, president

and CEO of Edison International ( EIX ), in a statement.

The announcement comes as Southern California Edison faces

multiple lawsuits alleging that its electrical equipment was

responsible for igniting one of the major wildfires that have

recently burned through the Los Angeles area, according to court

filings from last month.