SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued the following statement on California Department of Conservation Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources supervisor Steven Bohlen’s plans to return to the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Bohlen will also continue to assist the Administration as an unpaid science advisor to the Division.
“Steve brought strong leadership and valuable scientific expertise to the job of improving oil and gas oversight,” said Governor Brown. “California will benefit from his continued service as an unpaid advisor to the Division, even as he returns to scientific and national security work at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.”
Steven Bohlen was appointed supervisor in May 2014 with the assignment to conduct a full, systematic analysis of the division and a comprehensive plan for organizational change. During his tenure, the Division released a Renewal Plan for Oil and Gas Regulation, which refocuses the Division on its core values to regulate the oil and gas industry with safety and environmental health as top priorities. Bohlen has been on loan from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory over the past 18 months and brought considerable technical experience to the Division, including experience with ocean drilling, geology and academic research. In his capacity as an unpaid science advisor, Bohlen will continue to assist the Division on oil and gas issues, including the ongoing development of underground injection regulations.
The Governor also announced today that Ken Harris, 59, of Davis, has been appointed supervisor of the California Department of Conservation Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources. Harris has been the executive officer for the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board since 2012. He held multiple positions at the State Water Resources Control Board from 1987 to 2012 including assistant deputy director, supervising engineering geologist, assistant director and senior engineering geologist. Harris was interim assistant executive officer for the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board from 2010 to 2011 and a staff geologist at the San Lorenzo Valley Water District from 1983 to 1984. He earned a Master of Science degree in hydrology from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $198,500. Harris is a Democrat.