The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the department that oversees water management, could have its next leader come from Arizona.
President Donald Trump nominated Ted Cooke to be the agency’s next commissioner.
The big picture: Trump nominated Cooke for commissioner on Monday.
- The nomination was received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Driving the news: Cooke was the manager for the Central Arizona Project from 2015 to 2023 and has over two decades of experience with the agency.
- Brenda Burman succeeded Cooke when he stepped down in 2023. Burman was Reclamation’s commissioner during Trump’s first term in office.
- Before working at the Central Arizona Project, Cooke worked for independent power development companies and joined the organization as the head of the finance department.
Why it matters: If confirmed by the Senate, Cooke will lead Reclamation under the purview of the U.S. Department of the Interior and Secretary Doug Burgum.
- Reclamation covers the western half of the nation and provides water for 10 million acres of farmland.
- Reclamation is the largest wholesaler of water in the country, as it brings water to over 31 million people.
- Cooke would also oversee the Central Valley Project, which provides water to much of the San Joaquin Valley.
