(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 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, 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.