Bipartisan proposal

Sens. Mark Warner (D) and Jim Webb (D) have introduced legislation on Wednesday that would allow oil and gas exploration off Virginia's coast. The Virginia Outer Continental Shelf Energy Production Act of 2011 would also direct half of any leasing revenues to the state for conservation efforts, the development of clean energy resources, and other projects.

"Opening up and expanding Virginia's offshore resources to responsible natural gas and oil exploration holds significant promise for boosting needed domestic energy production, while bolstering the Commonwealth's economy," Webb said.

The legislation would expand the federal government's area of exploration to more accurately reflect the extent of Virginia's natural resources. The bill would also direct the Department of Interior to include Virginia's coastal waters in the nation's five-year oil and gas lease plan (2012-2017).

"We should not be sending hundreds of billions of dollars each year to oil-producing countries that do not like us," Warner said. "Senator Webb and I firmly believe that Virginians should benefit from any energy resources that are developed off of our coast, and our legislation specifically requires the federal government to make reasonable royalty payments to the Commonwealth."

According to the Energy Production Act, 37.5 percent of revenue derived from the outer continental shelf resource development would be given directly to the state. An additional 12.5 percent would be assigned to conservation efforts, transportation projects and alternative energy development projects in Virginia. Virginia Republicans have pushed for offshore drilling for years, citing state revenue and the creation of thousands of jobs. ("GOP eyes offshore drilling," 4/4)

Gov. McDonnell campaigned on the promise to promote drilling for oil and natural gas off the Virginia coast, but the governor and fellow Republicans in the state Senate have faced strong opposition to their proposals. In February 2010, the Democrat-controlled state Senate defeated a Republican-sponsored bill that would have allowed offshore drilling and directed most of the revenue to transportation projects in the Commonwealth.

Webb and Warner say that they have consistently supported safe energy exploration as a way to boost Virginia's economy. Gov. Bob McDonnell has applauded the bipartisan legislation, calling it a "common-sense proposal."

"We need more safe and reliable sources of domestic energy. We need more jobs. Utilizing our offshore oil and natural gas resources accomplishes both of these goals," McDonnell said. "I urge the United States Congress to take up this legislation immediately, and pass it swiftly. It is time we got serious about American energy security."

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the United States imports almost 10 million barrels of crude oil and other petroleum products every day in 2011. The rising cost of foreign oil has contributed to the U.S. trade deficit. While the U.S. imported $188 billion worth of oil in 2009 ($57 per barrel), the nation imported $252 billion worth of oil the following year ($75 per barrel). Oil is currently trading at $98.28 a barrel.

"Our economy and national security will be strengthened by an 'all-of-the-above' approach to energy, including the expanded production of our own domestic energy resources," Warner said.

Environmental groups have expressed their disapproval of drilling off Virginia's coast.

"Senators Warner, Webb and Governor McDonnell are politicians doing what politicians too often do; offering answers they think people want to hear instead of real solutions," said Glen Besa, director of the Sierra Club's Virginia chapter, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. "Drilling off our coast will not reduce the price of gas and will only prolong our dependency on foreign oil," Besa said.

If approved, the legislation will start a process that include environmental reviews, consultations with NASA and military partners in Hampton Roads and multiple public hearings, according to Warner. Both U.S. Senate frontrunners, Timothy M. Kaine (D) and George Allen (R), have expressed their support of the bill.

"There is strong, bipartisan support for offshore energy exploration and production in Virginia," McDonnell said. "That support is evident in this legislation."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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