Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Jennifer Lucchesi as the director of the California Department of Conservation, making her the state’s new oil and gas chief. An attorney by training, Lucchesi was most recently the executive officer at the State Lands Commission, where she oversaw vital areas like underwater land management, invasive species control, and oil spill response since 2012. She steps into this role following David Shabazian's retirement in September 2024.
Lucchesi’s appointment comes as Newsom is pursuing ambitious regulatory measures implementing new refinery standards, which are also expected to increase California's dependence on foreign oil imports.
With the Division of Geologic Energy Management under Lucchesi’s purview, she will play a central role in implementing Newsom’s environmental goals with energy management. She will be tasked with balancing Newson’s ongoing regulatory emphasis on sustainability and emissions reduction.