Oil regulator lodges complaint over orders to work for Brown

A state oil regulator has lodged a whistleblower’s complaint over being ordered to map the oil and gas potential, history and geology of California Gov. Jerry Brown’s family ranch.

That’s according to the state employee and her attorney who talked with The Associated Press on Monday.

Attorney William Rehwald says Jennie Catalano, a mapping specialist with the state Department of Conservation, faced unspecified retaliation after being suspected of lodging the complaint.

Teresa Schilling, a spokeswoman for the Department of Conservation, declined comment.

State records obtained by the AP show Brown in June 2014 directed senior officials at the Department of Conservation’s oil and gas regulatory agency to map, research and assess the oil, gas and mineral history and potential of his family ranch.

Brown and Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon blamed oil companies this month for killing a part of some state legislation that would have cut petroleum use in half by 2030.

The scaled-back SB350 boosts renewable electricity use and makes existing buildings more energy-efficient.