The Division of Petroleum Market Oversight (DPMO) is the nation’s first independent watchdog agency overseeing the oil and gasoline industry.
DPMO was established in 2023 by Senate Bill X1-2, the California Gas Price Gouging and Transparency Law. As an independent division of the California Energy Commission (CEC), DPMO is responsible for oversight, investigations, economic analysis, and policy recommendations regarding the transportation fuels market.
Cross-Disciplinary Team
DPMO has a cross-disciplinary team, with economists, policy experts, and enforcement attorneys that support the state’s economy and clean transportation transition.
Tai S. Milder, a former federal antitrust prosecutor, was appointed as the inaugural director of DPMO by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2023.
Division Chief Ryan McCauley, a former California Deputy Attorney General, oversees the Investigations & Industry Analysis Branch comprised of experienced prosecutors and enforcement attorneys.
Chief Economist Dr. Gigi Moreno, formerly a Senior Economist at the Southern California Association of Governments, leads DPMO’s Economics Branch, which includes two additional Ph.D. economists.
Learn more about the open positions at the CEC.
Division Updates
February 14, 2025: DPMO sent a gasoline market update and consumer advisory to Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders in response to volatile market conditions.
October 14, 2024: Governor Newsom signs Assembly Bill X2-1 into law, giving the CEC critical new regulatory authority to protect Californians from retail gasoline price spikes.
September 13, 2024: DPMO sent a gasoline market update and consumer advisory to Governor Newsom and legislative leaders in response to volatile market conditions.
January 31, 2024: DPMO sent a letter to Governor Newsom and legislative leaders outlining initial policy options to mitigate gasoline price spikes and bring additional transparency to the market.
September 22, 2023: DPMO sent a letter to Governor Newsom and legislative leaders in response to volatile gasoline market conditions.