Senate kills offshore Virginia natural gas drilling bill ...

By: Rob
Published On: 6/15/2007 5:07:11 PM

... but no thanks to our Senators:
The Senate easily shot down a proposal Thursday to give Virginia the right to drill offshore for natural gas.

The rejection of the limited drilling measure offered by Sen. John W. Warner, R-Va., signaled the strong resistance to offshore drilling in the Democratic-controlled Congress....

Warner's amendment attracted 43 votes, falling 17 short of the 60 required to win speedy passage without a filibuster. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., broke ranks with most fellow Democrats to support Warner's amendment.

Webb, who had backed offshore exploration but stopped short of endorsing drilling during his campaign last year, said Warner's measure included enough safeguards to warrant approval.

"It's no longer responsible to talk about energy independence while saying 'no' to even the most preliminary steps toward exploration and development of our domestic energy sources," Webb said in a statement.

We'll have to agree to disagree on that one, Senator.  Looking at the text of the amendment, I don't see adequate safeguards.  Sure, there's an approval buracracy in place -- Virginia's Governor must get approval from the Secretary of Energy for exploration and extraction of natural gas.  Industry couldn't just go out and start drilling without permission.  But there's no criteria in the bill regarding any safeguards -- environmental or otherwise.  So, there's no assurance here that the many concerns surrounding offshore drilling would even be addressed in this process. An anti-environment Governor and an anti-environment Secretary are under no obligation to consider the environmental concerns that have lead people like Virginia Beach mayor Meyera Oberndorf to oppose drilling off her shores. Or the Navy's concerns with its operations.

I'd like energy independence too.  But I'd rather search for real sustainable energy alternatives, rather than cure our oil addiction with an offshore natural gas addiction.

Comments



Not collecting on oil and gas leases now (VA Breeze - 6/15/2007 6:21:05 PM)
One newspaper mentioned that the bill proposed to set aside revenue from the gas leases to cover the cost of cleanup. The MMS is not collecting all the money owed to the US now for leases, especially in the Gulf. Also, drilling proponents keep saying how "clean" this is - drilling for gas.

I was surprised Webb voted yes-even Elizabeth Dole voted no.

The Atlantic coast is a valuable resource  as it currently is- thank you to the NJ senators who helped kill this bill!



A little off-topic (elevandoski - 6/15/2007 7:19:45 PM)
But Rob, you gave me a little lump in my stomach.  I followed your link on the Mayor Oberndorf's objection and saw a comment dated June 2006 from the late, great Jerry Griffin.  Jerry was a blogger at VB Dems.  Blogging was a new found joy for this middle school English teacher and he so quickly and easily threw himself into it.  I so enjoyed having him with me.  He was a big Webb supporter and when I attended Webb's swearing him (and burdened all its $costs to do so), I did it thinking I was there for Jerry.  His comment here was dated June 30, 2006.  He died a month later on August 2nd. 


I'm sorry about that ... (Rob - 6/16/2007 9:47:51 AM)
... are there any tributes to him online (eg, at your blog?)  I'd love to link to it.


Say it ain't so, Jimbo! (Kindler - 6/15/2007 8:08:59 PM)
As soon as our government starts to get anything close to serious about energy conservation and renewables, then we can start talking about exploration opportunities.  But don't just give away all our bargaining chips on the first move...


I'm With Jim Webbrig (Galenbrux - 6/16/2007 1:19:17 AM)
Jim Webb voted correctly, and for the right reasons. There is nothing inherently holy or divine about Virginia's offshore territories.

Drilling for gas there is necessary, and can be performed reasonably risk free.

I'd go further to help address our woeful energy problems. I'd support the Commonwealth implementing measures and incentives to induce the building of refineries in Virginia, as the shortage of operating refineries seems to be primary cause of gas supply problem.



Disagree... (Rob - 6/16/2007 9:47:03 AM)
There is plenty that could go wrong -- one accident offshore could wreck our shore-based economy, spoiling tourism areas, the seafood industry, etc.  Plus, the Navy has been against Virginia offshore drilling as well, and keeping a free access point for their vessels helps ensure their important presence in Hampton Roads as well.


Rob, do you agree with Speaker Pelosi? (Friend - 6/16/2007 9:47:50 AM)
In her "Greening of the Capitol" initiative, she is calling for more use of natural gas to heat the government buildings in DC.

So, obviously you have studied this issue closely, and you and the Speaker must have an answer --

where is the natural gas going to come from?