
On Tuesday, May 26, Forest Kaser was formally sworn in as the Director of the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety (often referred to as Energy Safety) in California. The swearing-in was conducted by Wade Crowfoot, California’s Secretary of Natural Resources, in a move that marks a leadership transition for a state agency focused on protecting and overseeing the safety of energy infrastructure.
The event places Kaser at the helm of the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety, an organization tasked with addressing public safety, regulatory oversight, and preparedness related to the state’s energy systems. While the brief announcement centers on the swearing-in itself, the appointment signals California’s continued emphasis on ensuring that energy infrastructure—such as facilities and systems that support generation, transmission, and delivery of power—operates with appropriate safeguards and readiness.
By naming a new director, the state is positioning the office to advance its mission under fresh leadership. Director-level appointments are typically significant because they shape the direction of agency priorities, including how quickly and effectively the office responds to safety issues, how it coordinates with other state entities and stakeholders, and how it supports enforcement and policy implementation.
Wade Crowfoot’s role in the swearing-in also highlights the office’s connection to the broader natural resources and public policy framework within California. As Secretary of Natural Resources, Crowfoot oversees a portfolio tied to environmental stewardship, resource management, and the state’s approach to infrastructure and resilience. Bringing the swearing-in under that umbrella emphasizes that energy safety is not viewed in isolation; rather, it is integrated into the state’s wider goals related to protection of communities, risk management, and long-term resilience.
Although the news story provided is concise, it contains the essential facts: the date of the ceremony (Tuesday, May 26), the individual receiving the new role (Forest Kaser), the position being filled (Director of the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety), and the official administering the oath (Secretary Wade Crowfoot). Together, these elements confirm that Kaser has officially begun serving in the director role following the formal oath-taking.
Swearing-in ceremonies are also a public signal of accountability and transparency. By documenting the moment and identifying the senior state official involved, the announcement clarifies who will be leading the office going forward. That matters for stakeholders such as industry partners, local governments, public safety officials, and members of the public who rely on energy infrastructure to function safely and continuously.
In the broader context of energy policy, the director of an energy infrastructure safety office is expected to oversee or influence how safety requirements are implemented and communicated, how compliance is monitored, and how safety planning evolves as technology, demand, and risk conditions change over time. The appointment of a director can therefore affect everything from operational guidance to how the office collaborates across agencies and responds to emerging challenges.
California’s focus on infrastructure reliability and risk reduction is especially relevant given the state’s climate, geography, and the need for dependable energy systems. Energy infrastructure safety work often intersects with planning for extreme weather, emergency response readiness, and prevention strategies designed to minimize harm to people and property.
With Forest Kaser sworn in, the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety now has a newly installed leader empowered to direct the office’s activities and priorities. The ceremony confirms that Kaser has assumed the director position in an official capacity, supported by the state’s Natural Resources leadership.
The story’s key takeaway is straightforward: California has installed Forest Kaser as Director of the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety, with the oath administered by Secretary Wade Crowfoot on May 26. Source: Source
Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety: On Tues. May 26, Forest Kaser was sworn in as the Director of the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety (Energy Safety) by California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot.. #breaking
— @CaEnergySafety May 1, 2026
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