As we celebrate Virginia finally beginning to explore for natural resources off the coast, let’s not forget those who obstructed us for years from getting to this point….
Mark Warner [1] and Tim Kaine [2]. Not to mention the State Senate and Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple who thought a revenue-sharing bill in 2009 was “premature [3]“.
At least Warner is now talking about coming up with a revenue sharing solution [4] that is equitable for the commonwealth…but this is an interesting policy that he takes in his press release:
I have long advocated an ‘all-of-the-above’ approach that incorporates increased R&D into bio-fuels and other renewables, development of our nation’s off-shore oil, gas and wind resources, the expanded use of clean coal technology and nuclear energy, and increased conservation measures.
Really? So that’s why you vetoed a bill in 2005 [5] that would have advocated to the Congressional delegation Virginia’s desires to move forward on exploring for oil and natural gas?
And lest we forget a great reversal from Glenn Nye in the summer of 2008 when he said on the VB Dems [6] blog: “I do not believe that drilling off the coast of Virginia is good policy from and environmental, economic, security and long term planning process,” to advocating for more drilling [7] that August.
Goes to show you that some people really can change.
Rep. Bob Goodlatte has introduced a bill in the House of Representatives [8] that would grant Virginia access to any future oil revenues.