Sen. Brian Schatz’s work in Hawaii with renewable energy has landed him a leadership role not often offered to freshman senators: head of a Senate subcommittee, his office said in an announcement scheduled for today.

Sen. Ron Wyden, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said he believes Schatz is in a good position to lead the Water and Power subcommittee, which is under the Energy Committee.

"Brian will be a real asset to our committee, and a great partner for clean energy in Hawaii and the rest of the country," Wyden, D-Oregon, said in a news release to be issued today. "While it is uncommon for a freshman member to gain a chairmanship, he has demonstrated the drive and ability to take up that responsibility, despite having just a few weeks of tenure in the Senate."

Schatz, Hawaii’s former lieutenant governor, was appointed on Dec. 26 by Gov. Neil Abercrombie to serve in the seat of Sen. Daniel Inouye, who died Dec. 17, until a special election in 2014.

Schatz’s office said the Democrat will also serve as a member on two other Energy and Natural Resources subcommittees: National Parks, and Public Lands, Forests and Mining; five subcommittees of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee; and the Indian Affairs Committee — a committee once chaired by just-retired Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii.

"As chair of the Water and Power Subcommittee, and in my role on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, I will continue working to establish a thriving clean energy economy in Hawaii," Schatz said in the release, adding that he plans to use his committee assignments to highlight Hawaii as a national leader in clean energy.

"I thank Senator Wyden and Senate leadership for giving me the opportunity to better serve the people of Hawaii in my new role as chairman," Schatz said.

While serving in the Hawaii House of Representatives from 1998 to 2006, Schatz led the House Water Committee and served on related committees such as the House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee and the Land and Ocean Resources Committee.

In less than two months on the job, Schatz is ranked 86th in seniority in the 100-member Senate, and 45th among 54 Democrats, his office said.