Two government agencies, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management (BOEM), are in the middle of gathering public comments about two very important issues affecting Virginia. The EPA is trying to learn what you think about reducing ozone emissions and the BOEM would like to know what you think about offshore exploration for oil and natural gas.
EPA Ozone Regulations
First, the EPA is proposing to reduce the federal ground-level ozone standard from 75 parts per billion (ppb) to as low as 65 ppb. The EPA plan could make it more expensive to drive a vehicle and operate factories and it would hamper job-creating economic development efforts across the Commonwealth.
When you combine the EPA’s revamped ozone rule with their other plan to cap power plant emissions, it’s a recipe to increase costs and undermine Virginia’s energy production. Is it any wonder that Norfolk Southern announced they were closing their Roanoke building a couple weeks ago?
But the real question is why go through this process in the first place? Current EPA regulations are actually working at reducing ozone, but not actually helping lessen the incidents of bronchitis, emphysema and asthma, which the EPA claims is the reason for the draconian measures.
National ozone trend data, as reported by the EPA, shows a steady decline in concentration levels from 1980-2013, an era which coincides with periodic reductions in ground-level ozone limits.
However, a contradictory view emerges when other government data is consulted. A June 2014 report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Environmental Health shows that both the total number of asthma cases, and the percentage of people with that ailment, rose from 2001-2010 even as ozone levels fell.
What are we to make of those opposing data points? The CDC freely admits “in most cases, we don’t know the exact causes of asthma and we don’t know how to cure it.” Yet the EPA seems convinced of its certainty even in the face of publicly available government data, which, at minimum, raises questions about the legitimacy of its public health assertions.
The EPA is accepting online comments on the proposed ozone rules until March 17.
BOEM Draft Lease Sale Plan: 2017-2022
The Commonwealth of Virginia lost out on progress during the last five year plan thanks to the Deepwater Horizon incident in the Gulf of Mexico. Despite the president’s willingness to move forward in the last round, the accident derailed any talk of moving forward even to explore to see what we have out there.
Bearing Drift has written extensively about this topic. Going back to 2009, then Governor-elect Bob McDonnell wrote the Department of Interior of a 2005 Old Dominion University study that predicted offshore natural gas production would likely “create at least 2,578 new jobs, induce capital investment of $7.84 billion, yield $644 million in direct and indirect payroll, and result in $271 million in state and local taxes. The study also estimated that there could be up to 500 million barrels of oil in this lease area – enough to fuel all four million cars in Virginia for more than four years.”
Here we are, five years later, still debating whether or not to even explore based on data from 1970s technology. (Not like that technology has evolved at all. Hey…anybody seen my 8-track player? )
Learn more about the 2017-2022 OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program
Tomorrow at the Sheraton Waterside in Norfolk at 3 pm, the BOEM is hosting an open discussion. Given the fact that the Sierra Club will be there with their black plastic bags covered in chocolate syrup (no…that’s not wasteful at all), it’s a good idea for anyone who can make it to probably sojourn on over. The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce is also holding a press conference at 2:30 pm.
“Bi-partisan support exists for offshore energy exploration and energy harvesting in Virginia waters. The state’s Republican-led General Assembly has endorsed offshore activities as have some members of the Commonwealth’s congressional delegation, including U.S. Representative Scott Rigell of Virginia Beach. Additional support comes from Governor Terry McAuliffe and Virginia’s Democratic U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. Elected officials insist that the Commonwealth share in the offshore royalties.
“Broad-based regional support from the community is growing in part because of the possibility of significant job creation and revenue generation. This exploration opportunity also could mean energy independence with the establishment of this region becoming the energy capital of the east coast. While the Chamber is excited by the potential economic impact this opportunity presents, it must be stressed we support due diligence to protect the environment, military readiness and other industry.”
That said, it’s never a bad idea to keep the pressure on the governor and let him know about your thoughts on both the EPA regulations and the BOEM leasing plan.
Make sure to share your thoughts with Gov. McAuliffe by calling 804-786-2211, e-mailing [email protected] or sending a letter to 1111 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219.
