Stanley "Skip" Pruss, Director Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth

Stanley "Skip" Pruss, was appointed by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm as director of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG) and as the state's new Chief Energy Officer on Oct. 27, 2008 to oversee the workforce and economic development efforts to prepare for Michigan's new energy economy

Mr. Pruss, a graduate of the University of Michigan and Wayne State University Law School, previously served as Governor Granholm’s Special Advisor on Renewable Energy and the Environment. He also served as Deputy Director of the Department of Environmental Quality from January 2003 to August 2007.

Prior to his service at DEQ and the Governor’s Office, Mr. Pruss was the Assistant Attorney General in Charge of Michigan's Consumer Protection Division and Chair of the Public Protection Practice Group within the Department of Attorney General. Mr. Pruss practiced environmental protection and natural resource law for 13 years and was the legal advisor to the Natural Resources Commission and the Department of Natural Resources.

Mr. Pruss has received numerous public service awards and citations during his career including selection by the American Bar Association as the 2001-2002 recipient of the Mary C. Lawton Award for Outstanding Government Service.

Many of the activities in state government related to the energy sector are housed in DELEG including efforts to “Green Michigan”, develop and deploy sustainable practices, and address climate change. DELEG focuses on the new energy economy, which is Michigan’s greatest opportunity to create new jobs, attract new investment and diversify our economy. DELEG’s important objective is to make Michigan a national leader in renewable energy, advanced energy technologies and energy efficiency. Michigan’s energy efforts can only be strengthened by the outstanding workforce development, workplace protection, and business service and regulatory competencies that the current DELEG possesses.