Interior Secretary Sally Jewell and the top leaders on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee expressed support for President Obama’s choice of Michael L. Connorto be deputy interior secretary, succeeding David Hayes. Since 2009, Connor has been commissioner of Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation, and prior to that he served on Capitol Hill. “Mike will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position after two decades in public service working on energy, conservation and water issues,” Jewell said. Since 2009, Connor has been commissioner of Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation, and prior to that he served on Capitol Hill. If confirmed by the Senate, Connor would be the second highest ranking official at Interior, with statutory responsibility as the COO to help lead a department of more than 70,000 employees and an annual budget of about $12 billion. Connor would continue to serve in his capacity as Interior’s reclamation commissioner, while his nomination is being considered, Jewell said. Sen. Ron Wyden(D-OR), chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), the ranking member of the committee, echoed those sentiments. “Mike Connor is a superb choice to serve as deputy secretary of the Interior,” Wyden said. Murkowski agreed, saying Connor’s “integrity, work ethic and his ability to solve tough resource related issues will make him an asset to the secretary.”