Uduak-Joe Ntuk has resigned after three years of leading the Geologic Energy Management Division.

Statewide, a number of reports have surfaced accusing signature-gatherers of misleading people with a petition against an oil rule. State officials say they are investigating the claims.

Gov. Newsom talked up clean energy at the California Economic Summit in Bakersfield. But his optimism doesn't jibe with Kern County leaders, who say they are staring down a financial crisis amid declining oil revenues

Kern County's coffers have been walloped by a decline in its tentpole industries: Agriculture, oil and gas.

The law signed by Gov. Newsom last month bans new oil and gas drilling within about half a mile of homes, schools, and hospitals starting in 2023. Shortly after it was signed into law, oil industry representatives moved to repeal the legislation through a referendum.