Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today praised the White House for announcing its intention to nominate New Mexican Michael L. Connor to lead the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR).  The BOR manages, develops, and protects water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public.

Connor hails from Las Cruces, graduating from Las Cruces High School and earning a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from New Mexico State University.  He also earned his J.D. from the University of Colorado School of Law.

After serving from 1993-2001 as the Department of Interior’s deputy director of the Indian Water Rights Office, Connor became counsel to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which Bingaman chairs.  Connor also directs the Committee’s Water & Power Subcommittee, which has oversight of the BOR. 

“Mike Connor is going to make a terrific Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation.  He has exactly the right background, and the fact that he -- as a New Mexican -- knows Western issues so well make him the perfect candidate for this important job,” Bingaman said.  “Mike will leave big shoes to fill on the Senate Energy Committee staff, but I look forward to working closely with him in his new role.”

Connor must be confirmed by the Senate.