Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) released the following statement today following President Obama’s announcement to permit offshore drilling for oil and gas:
My views opposing the new offshore oil and gas drilling have not changed.
Eighty percent of our country’s recoverable natural gas has yet to be tapped in areas where drilling is currently allowed. Enabling more drilling, when these sources have yet to be exhausted, only feeds our economic dependence on fossil fuels when we should be moving more aggressively to cleaner, sustainable sources of energy. Drilling risks harm to our environment and injury to our coastal communities that rely on fishing and tourism to sustain their livelihoods.
The administration has offered an improved approach to a flawed policy rushed through during the final days of the Bush administration, portions of which were found deficient and in violation of our environmental laws by the courts.
I am encouraged that in Virginia’s case, our nation’s military and their critical presence in Hampton Roads will be granted a seat at the table and veto power to reject plans that would compromise mission critical navigation and training areas in the Virginia Capes. The previous administration dismissed these concerns and some Virginia officials continue to refuse to acknowledge them.
Before people start counting any future revenues from drilling, consider this reality: even under the most optimistic scenario, no well will be sunk for at least another eight years; any royalties from these operations by law must go to the federal government, not the Commonwealth. Unlike Virginia, states that today receive royalties negotiated those rates before they agreed to allow drilling, not after.
Drilling will have no impact on Virginia’s transportation crisis anytime soon, even if a majority in Congress were to agree to give up future federal revenue. Oil and gas development off Virginia’s coast will be a long and drawn out process whose results will not be known for close to a decade.
