State Roles in Oil & Gas
State Agencies play an important role to ensure that the oil and gas industry is conducted in a safe and sustainable manner. Below is a list of the primary County, State, and Federal agencies that have this responsibility and a short description of those responsibilities.
STATE AGENCIES
California Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB)
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
California Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD)
California Department of Toxic Substance and Control
California Coastal Commission
Office of State Fire Marshal
California Geologic Energy Management (CalGEM) Division
https://www.conservation.ca.gov/calgem
The California Geologic Energy Management (CalGEM) division maintains exclusive jurisdiction over all subsurface oil and gas activities and is responsible for issuance of well permits for production and injection wells. They oversee the drilling, operation, maintenance, plugging, and abandonment of oil, natural gas, and geothermal wells in the State of California. Oil drilling in California cannot begin until a permit is issued by CalGEM.
California Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB)
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/losangeles/
The California Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) regulates oil and gas discharge ponds and conducts groundwater monitoring in areas of oil and gas well stimulation. They also review injection well applications.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
https://wildlife.ca.gov/
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife negotiates and maintains agreements with operators delineating roles and responsibilities if oil and gas projects affect streams, creeks, rivers, or other sensitive habitats near bodies of water within the state.
California Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/
The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) enforces pipeline safety laws and regulations, depending on the type of pipeline and the type of product it contains.
South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD)
http://www.aqmd.gov/
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) is responsible for controlling air pollutant emissions, primarily from stationary sources. Oil field activities are subject to the SCAQMD’s permitting program which implements the federal and state Clean Air Act and the Air Quality Management Plan by specifying operating and compliance requirements related to air contaminants.
California Department of Toxic Substance and Control
https://dtsc.ca.gov/
The California Department of Toxic Substance Control is responsible for cleanup efforts as a result of a hazardous substance release.
California Coastal Commission
https://www.coastal.ca.gov/
The California Coastal Commission has a regulatory role for locations within the coastal zone.
Office of State Fire Marshal
https://osfm.fire.ca.gov/
The Office of State Fire Marshal oversees safety testing and public reporting of pipelines transporting hazardous substances within the road right-of-way.