California governor candidate Tom Steyer vows to fight offshore drilling, boost housing
Updated: 11:11 AM PDT Mar 19, 2026
Businessman Tom Steyer, a candidate for California governor, has vowed to oppose the Trump administration’s plan to restart offshore drilling along the California coast, emphasizing his commitment to legal action against the proposal.”So obviously, I’m strongly opposed to this plan, and we will do everything we can to stop it, starting with lawsuits to prevent it,” Steyer said. “Look, we’re in the move in California, moving from fossil fuels to clean energy. We need to make sure that happens as fast as possible.”Steyer also discussed the significant issue of affordable housing in California and the Central Coast, advocating for a multifaceted approach to address the problem. “So my whole goal in moving housing, and I’ve said, we’ll build a million houses in four years. My whole goal here is not a silver bullet, but silver buckshot. Many problems are building affordable housing and we need to address them all with urgency. Starts with permitting. It moves to zoning it. And let me say, in terms of zoning, I’m a fan of zoning around existing cities and towns, of making them more dense and building around public transportation,” Steyer said.The forum continues with other candidates, including Antonio Villaraigosa, who will share his views tomorrow night, and Matt Mahan, whose interview is available online. Both candidates are expected to discuss offshore drilling and housing issues.
SALINAS, Calif. —
Businessman Tom Steyer, a candidate for California governor, has vowed to oppose the Trump administration’s plan to restart offshore drilling along the California coast, emphasizing his commitment to legal action against the proposal.
“So obviously, I’m strongly opposed to this plan, and we will do everything we can to stop it, starting with lawsuits to prevent it,” Steyer said. “Look, we’re in the move in California, moving from fossil fuels to clean energy. We need to make sure that happens as fast as possible.”
Steyer also discussed the significant issue of affordable housing in California and the Central Coast, advocating for a multifaceted approach to address the problem.
“So my whole goal in moving housing, and I’ve said, we’ll build a million houses in four years. My whole goal here is not a silver bullet, but silver buckshot. Many problems are building affordable housing and we need to address them all with urgency. Starts with permitting. It moves to zoning it. And let me say, in terms of zoning, I’m a fan of zoning around existing cities and towns, of making them more dense and building around public transportation,” Steyer said.
The forum continues with other candidates, including Antonio Villaraigosa, who will share his views tomorrow night, and Matt Mahan, whose interview is available online.
Both candidates are expected to discuss offshore drilling and housing issues.