Goodlatte introduces “Virginia Access to Energy Act” with Bipartisan Support
By Ward Smythe | Thursday, March 25th, 2010 | PolicyToday Representative Bob Goodlatte introduced the “Virginia Access to Energy Act”. H.R. 4942, removes the regulatory road blocks that are impeding the exploration for natural gas and crude oil in Virginia’s waters of the Outer Continental Shelf.
Joining Congressman Bob Goodlatte as original co-sponsors of this legislation were Representatives Rob Wittman (VA-1), Glenn Nye (VA-2), Randy Forbes (VA-4), Tom Perriello (VA-5), Eric Cantor (VA-6), Rick Boucher (VA-9), and Frank Wolf (VA-10).
“Every day, folks across Virginia and the nation are confronted with the rising cost of energy, from the cost at the pump to soaring electric bills,” said Congressman Goodlatte. “I believe that Virginia should have every tool available to access its energy supplies. The ‘Virginia Access to Energy Act’ will remove the regulatory hurdles that have impeded development and create a path for Virginia to become ‘the Energy Capital of the East Coast.’”
Among those regulatory hurdles? Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. A lease sale has been proposed in Virginia’s Outer Continental Shelf, but Salazar has continued to postpone the sale.
At the request of the Virginia Governor,the legislation requires the Department of Interior, to proceed with the Virginia lease sale no later than one year after passage of this legislation.
Just this past session the Virginia General Assembly passed House Bill 756 sponsored by Delegate Christoper Stolle that “Requires that all revenues and royalties paid to the Commonwealth as a result of offshore natural gas and oil drilling shall be distributed as follows: (i) 70 percent to the Transportation Trust Fund, (ii) 20 percent to the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium, and (iii) 10 percent to localities for improvements to infrastructure and transportation.”
While Goodlatte’s measure has received bipartisan support from Virginia’s Congressional Delegation, noticably absent were the names of Gerry Connolly, Jim Moran and Bobby Scott.
As Goodlatte said, “Virginians understand that a major component in lessening energy costs is to produce more energy. In addition to helping us become energy independent, this legislation will help create thousands of jobs for Virginians and infuse the Commonwealth with new capital growth.”
Seven out of eleven Virginia Congressmen agree.
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Ward Smythe is a pseudonymous aspiring freelance writer from Central Virginia. Until late 2007 Ward blogged at the now defunct "Ward View" and was active in Virginia and national politics. Ward's signature style of snarkery gained him a unique following that he hopes to regain here at Bearing Drift. Ward uses humor, satire and sometimes photoshop to make his point. Ward is proud to be an equal opportunity offender.
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11 Responses to "Goodlatte introduces “Virginia Access to Energy Act” with Bipartisan Support"
And two senators, as well. Both Sen. Jim Webb and Sen. Mark Warner see the benefits to this.
Once again, Rep. Connolly is out of step with what the rest of Virginia – and likely his district – wants.
If we as a state intelligently develop our offshore oil resources and allow modern energy technology industries to thrive here, the payback will last for decades to come. Additionally by drilling offshore we stem the likelyhood that foreign companies will drill there.
I will also note that the Democrat that liberals love to hate, Glenn Nye, is also a cosponsor of this bill. Even Tom Perriello cosponsored it. Let’s get it done.
I just need to know how the VB Dems intend to offset the rising taxes if we don’t raise revenue? The oil industry is one of the most highly inspected industries due to EV. Even the Gulf Operations are among the best controlled and inspected of any industry. I wish the corn my parents grow could make enough energy to sustain production. But it cannot. Until gas gets to 4.00 per gallon no one will complain and AE takes second seat. Have you ever noticed that as soon as it gets that close, the price mysteriously comes down? If the premise is that we need to get away from oil, then why not drill, use it up and then we’ll have to find AE!
Although I acknowledge that resources such as gas and oil are finite, we should still do what we can for our own energy needs until technology advances the efficiency of alternative energy. If we can extract oil and gas from our own territory, we could have both cheaper fuel and more jobs for Virginians.
I can promise I am more open to this proposal than Bobby Scott is.
-James Quigley for Third Congressional District
jamesquigley4congress.com
jamesquigley4congress.blogspot.com
Even though the trucking industry is in favor of increased fuel taxes to fund what we depend on, a good infrastructure, most Republicans are against what business and industry are in favor of! They and the Tea Party scream no to any tax increase while those of us faced with the hard scrabble of trying to make a living agree to it. Those of us who would pay most dearly are amongst those who agree to a fair increase in taxes.
Eisenhower (Republican) started our freeway system. Reagan (another Republican) increased the fuel tax when such an increase became necessary. The trucking industry agrees that another fair increase in the fuel taxes are necessary to keep our infrastructure from crumbling.
I find it amazing that Republicans will not agree with the need to support an increase in the fuel tax only because tree huggers might also find reason to support it. Those members of industry that stand to pay the most from such an increase also support it. When business and environmentalists find reason to stand together, it is hard to go wrong.
Ummm, David, what does that have to do with energy exploration? This thread is about finding more energy resources, not transportation infrastructure, funding methods, or if taxes are good or bad.
Just saying…….
Britt,
Just saying… McDonnell is putting forth offshore oil revenues as being the solution to Virginia’s transportation problems. Well even if offshore oil drilling happens, and if (big if) the revenue is structured so that Virginia gets a healthy share of it, it is not going to happen near term. Such possible revenues will not be generated during McDonnell’s single term in office.
Now, perhaps you are willing to wait to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. But the trucking industry knows our economy depends on real bridges and that hoping on a rainbow is not going to keep our economy moving.
Has anyone checked on Eileen at VB Dems to see if she’s still alive? I bet she has completely stroked out over these Dems getting in bed with the GOP on offshore drilling to try to save their asses by looking bi-partisan on energy.
David,
Come on, that’s like saying you shouldn’t put money in your 401k because it will take a REALLY long time before you retire. Sounds like you’re just looking for a reason to attack and slip back into the same ‘ol same ‘ol in this thread too.
Further, foregoing exploration because you MIGHT not find anything, is equally a losing proposition. Not every move is a winner, but nothing ventured is nothing gained.
I would hate to guess how many medical wonders would have gone undiscovered with that kind of mindset. Even if it does take a few years, it is worth doing.
I certainly agree with you that future revenues will do little to help right here & now. I agree that other things should be looked at. However, eventhough you returned to the subject at hand, you are now putting forth an arguement against this exploration, when just earlier you said, “Let’s get it done”. Very puzzling. Sometimes regurgitating talking points doesn’t blend into other points made.
[...] Bob Goodlatte has introduced a bill in the House of Representatives that would grant Virginia access to any future oil revenues. addthis_pub = 'jasonkenney'; [...]
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