California · Governor · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Where do the candidates stand on energy and climate?
- Xavier BecerraDemocrat
- Steve HiltonRepublican
Part of the full California Governor comparison · Last reviewed October 19, 2026
Energy & Climate
Each position is labeled by what it rests on: a campaign proposal, a public statement, a past action such as a vote or lawsuit, or an enacted policy. Where nothing is documented, the page says so.
Documented positions
Xavier Becerra
Proposes up to two hours of free daily electricity for income-eligible households; supports clean-energy goals but is open to revising them, including the 2035 gas-car sales ban.
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- Campaign proposalAug. 2026
His "Power Hour" proposal would give households that meet the CARE and FERA program income guidelines (for example, a family of four earning less than $82,500) up to two hours of free electricity a day, in the middle of the day before peak pricing. The campaign estimates savings of about $1,000 a year for an eligible family that uses it regularly. 2 sourcesPower Hour - Xavier Becerra (opens in a new tab)Becerra for Governor 2026 · Aug. 16, 2026 · Campaign2026 California Voter Guide for the Governor's Race (opens in a new tab)KQED · Sept. 17, 2026 · News
- Public statementOct. 2026
Says he supports the state's clean energy transition goals but is open to revising them if they make gas and energy unaffordable, particularly the ban on selling new gas cars by 2035. He opposes suspending the gas tax and instead proposes increasing and stabilizing fuel production within California to reduce price swings. 2 sourcesWho are the 2026 California governor candidates? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 29, 2026 · NewsXavier Becerra: A campaign focused on the cost of living and Donald Trump (opens in a new tab)Times of San Diego · Oct. 12, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposalAug. 2026
His "Power Hour" proposal would give households that meet the CARE and FERA program income guidelines (for example, a family of four earning less than $82,500) up to two hours of free electricity a day, in the middle of the day before peak pricing. The campaign estimates savings of about $1,000 a year for an eligible family that uses it regularly. 2 sourcesPower Hour - Xavier Becerra (opens in a new tab)Becerra for Governor 2026 · Aug. 16, 2026 · Campaign2026 California Voter Guide for the Governor's Race (opens in a new tab)KQED · Sept. 17, 2026 · News
- Public statementOct. 2026
Says he supports the state's clean energy transition goals but is open to revising them if they make gas and energy unaffordable, particularly the ban on selling new gas cars by 2035. He opposes suspending the gas tax and instead proposes increasing and stabilizing fuel production within California to reduce price swings. 2 sourcesWho are the 2026 California governor candidates? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 29, 2026 · NewsXavier Becerra: A campaign focused on the cost of living and Donald Trump (opens in a new tab)Times of San Diego · Oct. 12, 2026 · News
Steve Hilton
Proposes $3-a-gallon gas by repealing the low carbon fuel standard, changing cap-and-trade and refinery rules and expanding in-state oil production; also proposes halving the gas tax.
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- Campaign proposalSept. 2026
His plan for $3-a-gallon gas would increase in-state oil and gas production, repeal the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, change how cap-and-trade costs are levied and roll back some refinery regulations; in interviews CBS News published in April 2026, he said he could do this through regulatory changes without legislation. In September 2026 he acknowledged that a governor cannot control all the forces that set gas prices, saying, "As long as the situation in the Middle East doesn't change, it's going to be hard to get exactly to that." 3 sourcesCalifornia governor's race: GOP candidate Steve Hilton pitches affordability agenda as he tries to close gap (opens in a new tab)ABC7 San Francisco · Sept. 25, 2026 · NewsCalifornia 2026 governor candidates discuss gas prices, environmental policy (opens in a new tab)CBS News California · April 6, 2026 · NewsFact-checking Becerra and Hilton in the California governor's debate on CNN (opens in a new tab)CapRadio · Oct. 1, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposal2026
Proposes halving the state gas tax, ending rules that require utilities and businesses to buy solar and wind power, allowing more natural gas production, and starting a volunteer program to plant trees and restore forests. SourceWho are the 2026 California governor candidates? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 29, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposalSept. 2026
His plan for $3-a-gallon gas would increase in-state oil and gas production, repeal the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, change how cap-and-trade costs are levied and roll back some refinery regulations; in interviews CBS News published in April 2026, he said he could do this through regulatory changes without legislation. In September 2026 he acknowledged that a governor cannot control all the forces that set gas prices, saying, "As long as the situation in the Middle East doesn't change, it's going to be hard to get exactly to that." 3 sourcesCalifornia governor's race: GOP candidate Steve Hilton pitches affordability agenda as he tries to close gap (opens in a new tab)ABC7 San Francisco · Sept. 25, 2026 · NewsCalifornia 2026 governor candidates discuss gas prices, environmental policy (opens in a new tab)CBS News California · April 6, 2026 · NewsFact-checking Becerra and Hilton in the California governor's debate on CNN (opens in a new tab)CapRadio · Oct. 1, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposal2026
Proposes halving the state gas tax, ending rules that require utilities and businesses to buy solar and wind power, allowing more natural gas production, and starting a volunteer program to plant trees and restore forests. SourceWho are the 2026 California governor candidates? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 29, 2026 · News
Recorded votes on energy and climate
Selected votes
Xavier Becerra
American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454, 111th Congress)
EnergyProposed a cap-and-trade program to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and hydrofluorocarbons, along with other provisions to encourage clean energy development.
Passed the House 219–212 on June 26, 2009; the Senate did not take it up.
2 sourcesRoll Call 477: H.R. 2454, American Clean Energy and Security Act, On Passage (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · June 26, 2009 · Legislative recordAmerican Clean Energy and Security Act (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · ReferenceVoted yesU.S. House · June 26, 2009
On Passage
House roll call 477, 2009 (official record, opens in a new tab)SourceRoll Call 477: H.R. 2454, American Clean Energy and Security Act, On Passage (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · June 26, 2009 · Legislative record
Steve Hilton
No legislative record
In their own words
Statements
Xavier Becerra
No statement on this issue included
Steve Hilton
In-state oil production and gas prices
It makes absolutely no sense right now to do what we’re doing, importing oil halfway around the world from the Middle East and from South America when we have abundant oil reserves here
Steve Hilton · General-election debate with Xavier Becerra, hosted by CNN in Burbank, arguing for more in-state oil production as part of his plan for $3-a-gallon gas, as reported by CapRadio · Sept. 30, 2026
SourceFact-checking Becerra and Hilton in the California governor's debate on CNN (opens in a new tab)CapRadio · Oct. 1, 2026 · News
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