Offshore drilling bill to be voted on Wednesday

By J.R. | July 7, 2008
Filed Under Uncategorized |

Del. Chris Saxman’s bill to encourage the exploration for natural resources in U.S. waters off the coast of Virginia, and then dedicate future revenues and royalties from offshore drilling to Virginia’s Transportation Trust Fund appears well on its way to passage.

Sailing through the rules committee in a bi-partisan manner (12-3), the vote on HB 6006 will take place on Wednesday when the House reconvenes.

“Even though surveys repeatedly show strong public support for increased domestic energy exploration and offshore drilling, legislation that would bring America closer to energy independence remains stalled in Congress,” noted Delegate Saxman. “Though federal officials will ultimately decide whether to lift the ban on offshore drilling, it is important for Virginia, possessing potentially significant offshore resources, to prepare for that possibility now. By passing House Bill 6006, the Virginia General Assembly can send a strong message to Congress that we are ready to act.”

The senate version of this bill, introduced by Sen. Frank Wagner (R-Virginia Beach), and discussed here on Bearing Drift, failed to make it out of the agriculture committee on a strict party-line vote…a reversal of many Democrats (Ticer, Deeds, Reynolds, Puckett, and Whipple) from their vote in 2005. Sen. Ralph Northam of Norfolk also opposed Wagner’s bill.

Interesting how Democrats were for exploration when gas was $1.92 per gallon, but against it three years later when it is over $4 per gallon.

Comments

7 Responses to “Offshore drilling bill to be voted on Wednesday”

Reid Greenmun on July 7th, 2008 4:06 pm

I support this bill.
charles flynn on July 7th, 2008 6:30 pm

Right on! Ken Cuccinelli had a similar bill, I believe. 2 birds…oil for the enviro-nuts self-imposed crisis, and state funds for the state transportation projects (prioritized, of course)
eileen on July 7th, 2008 8:11 pm

When only half (3 of 6 ) the Democrats (even assuming you call Joannou a Democrat) support the bill, that hardly qualifies as “Sailing through the rules committee in a bi-partisan manner”.
J.R. on July 7th, 2008 9:24 pm

Eileen,
You’ve got to be kidding me? When a minority of Republicans break ranks (remember Chichester and Potts), it’s “bipartisan” or a “fractured” party.

When HALF the Democratic members on the committee vote for it, and twelve of fifteen members…that 80% of the committee for you math-challenged-types…I’d call that sailing.

But, you’ve got an agenda, Ms. Sierra Club, so I don’t blame you for not being a happy camper.
Jonas on July 8th, 2008 9:03 am

To imply that Ralph Northam was ever for off shore drilling demonstrates either dishonesty or ignorance. Northam dedicated half of his campaign platform to environmental protection issues and would never have advocated for any shortsighted plan to endanger our coastal habitat. Criticize Northam for his dedication to the environment if you like but please don’t insult the intelligence of your readers by using half-witted arguments to falsely paint him as a flip-flopper.
J.R. on July 8th, 2008 9:58 am

Jonas,
You read too much into it. I was just stating the fact that Sen. Northam opposed the bill.

That’s consistent.

The only thing short-sighted is your and his misguided efforts to undermine the U.S. economy and our own independence by failing to use our own resources in a safe and environmentally-conscious manner.
eileen on July 8th, 2008 8:50 pm

Okay, Ms. Sierra Club is here with 12 Reasons why offshore drilling for natural gas is wrong for Virginia…

http://www.hrsierraclub.org/NoOffshoreDrilling