Majority of Californians Oppose Offshore Drilling, Poll Finds  - Oceana USA

Majority of Californians Oppose Offshore Drilling, Poll Finds

Press Release Date: July 16, 2026

Location: MONTEREY, Calif

Contact:

Ashley Blacow | email: ablacow@oceana.org | tel: 1.831.643.9220

 The following is a statement by Oceana Field Campaign Manager Ashley Blacow-Draeger in response to new polling released today by the Public Policy Institute of California that found that 63% of Californians oppose allowing more oil drilling off the California coast.  

The poll comes as the Trump administration is preparing to roll out the next version of its offshore drilling plan. The current proposal released in November 2025 includes waters off California:  

“Today’s polling reaffirms what Californians have been saying year after year: no more drilling off our coast. Californians overwhelmingly oppose any new offshore drilling because of the existential threat it poses to our coastal communities, iconic wildlife, and vibrant local economies. We know all too well that when we drill, we spill, and far too often, Californians and our coast have paid the price. State lawmakers must respond by passing the California Coastal Protection Act (AB 1448) to help protect against the federal plan to expand oil drilling to safeguard our shores – now and forever.”