Senate Panel Advances Heather Geldart for OSPR Leadership; Nominee Highlights Spill‑prevention, Renewable‑fuel Preparedness

SACRAMENTO — The Senate Rules Committee on April 9 advanced Heather Geldart’s nomination for a senior leadership role at the Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR), referring the appointment to the full Senate after members heard testimony on spill prevention, renewable‑fuel readiness and program funding.

Geldart, who testified she has more than two decades of experience in emergency management and crisis response, said OSPR must modernize its operations as California’s energy landscape changes. She outlined prevention activities, including reviewing contingency plans, verifying certificate of financial responsibility from plan holders, and coordinated inspections and monitoring done with other agencies such as CalGEM, State Lands and the State Fire Marshal.

Geldart told the committee OSPR maintains…