Steven Bohlen

Dr. Steven Bohlen, supervisor of the state Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR), has resigned after 17 months running the agency.

Gov. Jerry Brown has appointed Kenneth A. Harris, executive officer of the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, to replace Bohlen. Harris has 25 years of experience with the State Water Board. He holds bachelor’s degrees in earth science and water science and a master’s degree in hydrology, and is a licensed professional geologist.

In his resignation letter to Gov. Brown, Bohlen said he is returning to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he had previously served as Program Director for Nuclear and Domestic Security.

In an interview with the Sacramento Bee newspaper, Bohlen said he will stay on with DOGGR as an unpaid science adviser. He holds a Ph.D. in geochemistry from the University of Michigan.

Prior to and during Bohlen’s tenure, DOGGR was criticized by environmental groups over its oversight of hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells and injection of wastewater into disposal wells.

Bohlen told the newspaper that DOGGR, after “getting those issues on the table,” is “really starting to fix things.” He added, “It’s not as obvious to the public now, but certainly it will be increasingly obvious that the division has turned a corner. I think the future looks very bright.”

In a prepared statement, Brown said Bohlen “brought strong leadership and valuable scientific expertise to the job of improving oil and gas oversight.”

Catherine Reheis-Boyd, president of the Western States Petroleum Association, praised Bohlen for expanding the agency’s regulatory role and undertaking a broad review of the division’s regulations.

“As a result, oil and gas production in California is today conducted under some of the most stringent regulations and oversight in the world,” she said.