Secretary Jewell Statement on the Senate Confirmation of Estevan López as Commissioner of Reclamation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today released the following statement after the U.S. Senate confirmed Estevan R. López to serve as Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation. President Obama announced his intent to nominate López as Commissioner on March 6, 2014, and he has been serving as Principal Deputy Commissioner since October 8, 2014.

“I am pleased the Senate has voted to confirm Estevan López to this important leadership post at the Interior Department. Estevan is uniquely qualified to lead the Bureau of Reclamation – our nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. With decades of public service to the people of New Mexico, water management expertise, and an ability to bring together diverse stakeholders from across the spectrum, he is well suited to the challenges of being Commissioner in the 21st century. His leadership is already helping Reclamation effectively manage water and power resources during a time when demand for both has surged in parts of the West yet drought and climate change threaten supplies.”

Before López, Deputy Secretary of the Interior Mike Connor served as Reclamation Commissioner. For more information on the nomination of Estevan López click HERE. More information on the Bureau of Reclamation is HERE.