Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Caroline Thomas‑Jacobs as Director of Cal OES (pending Senate confirmation), moving her from her current role as Director of the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety (OEIS). Thomas‑Jacobs is well known to many in the utility sector for setting clear expectations on wildfire safety, risk reduction, and system performance for California’s electric utilities.
CUEA members should expect that same focus on documented preparedness and mitigation to carry into her leadership at Cal OES. Utilities can anticipate continued emphasis on:
- Up‑to‑date, well‑documented emergency and continuity plans
- Demonstrated wildfire and all‑hazards risk reduction efforts
- Strong coordination with Cal OES regions and local partners during incidents
While her most visible work has been with electric utilities, her new role has implications for all critical infrastructure sectors — including water, wastewater, gas, and telecommunications — as the state continues to integrate infrastructure risk, climate impacts, and emergency management.
For CUEA, this leadership transition at Cal OES underscores the importance of our core role: providing neutral, technical, and operationally grounded information to both our members and state partners. Additionally, we will:
- Track and translate emerging expectations from Cal OES into practical guidance
- Elevate member challenges and on‑the‑ground realities to state partners
- Provide neutral, technical information to help utilities prepare, mitigate, and coordinate effectively
As this transition moves forward, CUEA will keep members informed and will continue to serve as a trusted bridge between utilities and Cal OES.
