One of the most important parts of my job as your Assemblymember is making sure your voice is heard in Sacramento — especially on complex issues where the decisions made in the Capitol can have real, lasting impacts on our local communities. One of the most vital issues where community input can be put into action is California’s energy future.
For this reason, I recently conducted a district-wide poll on offshore oil drilling and the state’s broader energy strategy. These issues are often framed in sound bites and headlines, but the reality is far more complicated. My responsibility is not only to advocate for you, but also to help make sure our community is informed before those decisions are made.
Recently, there has been renewed discussion about expanding offshore oil drilling in federal waters off California’s coast. It’s important to understand that offshore drilling would not impact state gas prices, but rather expose us to significant environmental and economic risks.
Oil produced in federal waters is sold on the global market. Experts agree that gas prices in California are driven primarily by global oil markets, refinery capacity and our state’s unique fuel requirements — not by whether drilling happens offshore.
Nearly 500 residents from our district took the time to participate, and the results were clear.
First, when asked about allowing new offshore oil drilling leases off the California coast, a strong majority opposed it. Nearly seven in 10 respondents oppose new offshore drilling, with a clear majority expressing strong opposition. I join them in opposing new leases for offshore drilling.
An overwhelming number of respondents (88%) said the protection of California’s coastal environment (our beaches, marine life and clean ocean) is extremely or very important when forming their opinion on offshore drilling. This isn’t a surprise. For our district, the coastline is not only part of our identity, it’s also a major economic engine and quality-of-life issue.
Participants also made clear that potential economic risks matter (66%). A majority said the risks to tourism, recreation and small businesses from offshore drilling would be very significant. Those industries generate billions of dollars annually and support countless local jobs.
When asked about California’s energy future, many respondents favored transitioning away from oil toward renewable energy as quickly as possible.
A few months ago, the governor vetoed three bipartisan bills (AB 44, AB 740 and SB 541) that would have advanced virtual power plants, which are systems that deliver clean power back to the electrical grid during peak hours. This is done by aggregating power from devices we already have in our homes such as smart thermostats, rooftop solar panels, home and electric vehicle batteries and electric heat pumps.
According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, Californians pay almost twice the national average for electricity. One recent study from think tank GridLab and grid-data analytics start-up Kevala predicted that virtual power plants could save Californians up to $13.7 billion on electricity over the next five years. That is the kind of climate-forward and affordability-focused policy that California voters and global climate champions want.
With the industry’s oil refineries shutting down in California, our state’s refining capacity could be reduced by a third. A significant number who were surveyed favored a balanced approach that recognizes current energy demands while planning responsibly for the future.
Many of you supported prioritizing in-state energy production. That balance showed up again when respondents were asked about Senate Bill 237, recently signed into law, which focuses on oil production within California.
While opinions were mixed, more respondents supported the policy than opposed it, and many indicated they wanted more information.
One thing came through clearly: Californians understand that our coastline and economy are deeply connected. The risks fall on our local communities, even when the benefits are uncertain or sold elsewhere. Your input guides how I approach these debates in Sacramento. It strengthens my ability to push back when decisions are made without local voices at the table, and it helps ensure our district is represented honestly and forcefully.
The results of this poll tell me that our community wants facts, transparency and accountability — not slogans. It also reinforces my role as your representative: to explain the tradeoffs, challenge oversimplified claims and advocate for solutions that protect our coast while ensuring energy reliability and affordability.
Thank you to everyone who responded to our survey. For those who are interested in future polls, you can sign up via my website at ad74.asmrc.org. Your engagement makes a difference, and I will continue to bring your voice with me to the Capitol.
Laurie Davies is a small business owner and former mayor who was elected to the State Assembly in 2020 and reelected in 2022 and 2024. She represents the 74th Assembly District, which includes San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel and San Juan Capistrano in South Orange County — down through Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, Vista and part of Fallbrook in North San Diego County. DP