Governor-elect Bob McDonnell of Virginia has already taken a strong stance in support of the state’s workers, consumers and manufacturers by pushing the Department of Interior to expedite development of natural gas and oil resources on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Writing that “Virginia is eager to get started,” McDonnell on Dec. 23 sent a letter to Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar asking that the state remain on the current five-year OCS leasing plan and that federal administrative process move forward immediately with Lease Sale 220, an area more than 50 miles off the coast of Virginia estimated to contain 130 million barrels of oil and 1.14 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

From the governor-elect’s letter:

Any effort to remove or delay Virginia’s participation in the lease sale would significantly hamper our efforts to create jobs, eliminate much-needed new revenue, and undermine support for President Obama’s stated commitment to make the United States more energy secure.

The opportunity to explore and develop oil and natural gas resources off the coast of Virginia, miles out of sight from our beaches in an environmentally sound manner, is timely for both our nation and our Commonwealth. Like every other state, Virginia is struggling with the high unemployment that accompanies the current tough economic environment. Some parts of our state have an unemployment rate as high as 19 percent. Additionally, America needs secure and diverse energy sources that do not leave us dependent on foreign governments adverse to our national interests.

Governor-elect McDonnell makes his Administration’s goals — upon which he specifically, prominently campaigned  – quite clear to Secretary Interior and the public.

Offshore energy exploration and production will be a priority in my administration. I would like to work with you and the President to make Virginia an international leader in offshore energy exploration and production on the Atlantic coast. It is important for both our Commonwealth and our country. We also intend to aggressively pursue offshore renewable energy sources such as wind farms, and will be asking for your assistance at that appropriate time.

That’s welcome leadership on behalf of smart energy policy and economic growth.

See also news coverage:

• Wall Street Journal blog, “Drill, Baby, Drill: Does Virginia’s Gov-Elect’s Call For Offshore Drilling Add Up?“
• Washington Business Journal, “Bob McDonnell urges offshore drilling for Virginia“
• Richmond Times Dispatch, “Hasten offshore lease sale, McDonnell urges White House“

One of the nation’s leading legislative advocates of developing America’s abundant offshore energy resources is state Sen. Frank Wagner (R-Virginia Beach), A member of the NAM Board of Directors, Wagner testified yesterday in his capacity as a lawmaker at a U.S. House Natural Resources Committee hearing, “”Offshore Drilling: State Perspectives.”‘

Very solid arguments, reflecting the high level of interest in Virginia is the economic activity that would result from Outer Continental Shelf oil and natural gas development. Senator Wagner emphasized that OCS energy is just part of a comprehensive energy strategy. From  Wagner’s testimony:

We in Virginia recognize that there is no one silver bullet to solve our nation’s energy crisis. The solution must be thought of as a silver shotgun shell, with each pellet as important as the next.
Opening additional OCS area is one pellet. Expansion of nuclear power and revisiting prior decisions on breeder reactors is another. Conservation, energy efficiency, development of renewables and alternative energies are pellets, and the list goes on.

Three years ago in Virginia we passed a comprehensive energy plan, which I authored, with bipartisan support. The Virginia Energy Plan includes all the forms of energy just mentioned as well as the expansion of energy research and development.

However, we do not hold the keys, Mr. Chairman. You in Washington do. Please, Mr. Chairman, unlock the doors. One has been opened with MMS action to date with regards to Virginia’s OCS. Open that door for other states that want to follow Virginia. Facilitate the expansion of our nuclear industry. Open up more areas for energy development. Continue to expand the good work to date on funding energy R&D. Expand our efforts to use our existing energy more wisely. We as a nation are at a critical juncture where the health of our economy and the health of our planet are intertwined.

The MMS action to date Senator Wagner mentions is the MMS five-year leasing plan with potential lease sales occurring as early as 2012.

Also in the committee record is a letter from Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine (and new DNC Chairman) to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, asking Interior to postpone the proposed Lease Sale 220 given Salazar’s decision to extend public comment on the MMS plan for OCS energy development.

Officialdom has been saying no to energy security for years and years and years now. Last year represented a major breakthrough in the expiration of the Congressional moratorium on expanded OCS drilling and President Bush’s decision to end the executive order banning it. The state is set for action, so let’s act.