SACRAMENTO, California — The head of California’s main oil and gas regulatory agency, David Shabazian, is retiring Sept. 1, he announced in an email to employees Thursday.
Shabazian, 57, has served as director of California’s Department of Conservation for the past five years. He didn’t provide a reason for his decision in the email. A department spokesperson said that “after 30+ years of public service he decided this was the right time.”
Why it matters: Shabazian’s departure comes as the department continues to adapt to California’s evolving stance on oil and gas, including tightening restrictions on production.
Background: Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Shabazian, formerly a local planner in the Sacramento region, to lead the department in 2019.
