The Washington Post editorialists are not persuaded by President Obama’s odd pleas to the Brazilians to drill more offshore while the Administration slow walks domestic drilling permits in the Gulf of Mexico. From today’s lead editorial, “Oil NIMBY-ISM“:

WHEN WAS the last time an American president stood before an audience in a foreign country and announced that he looked forward to importing more of its oil? Answer: Just over a week ago, when President Obama joined political and business leaders in Brasilia in hailing the fact that their newly discovered offshore petroleum reserves might be twice as large as those in the United States. Americans “want to help with technology and support to develop these oil reserves safely, and when you’re ready to start selling, we want to be one of your best customers,” Mr. Obama said….

Mr. Obama’s enthusiasm for punching holes in the ocean floor off Brazil is hard to reconcile with his decision, announced Dec. 1, to keep the waters off the East and West coasts and the eastern Gulf of Mexico off-limits to exploration indefinitely. His policy was a reversal of an earlier decision he had made to open some of those areas. We can understand that reversal, after the massive oil spill in the western Gulf last year. And, demonstrating a measure of flexibility even after the disaster, the administration has announced five deep-water drilling permits in the western Gulf since the spill.

The Post’s reference to NIMBY-ism makes the point that by pushing energy development overseas, the Obama Administration sends it to countries less able or inclined to protect the environment, e.g., Nigeria or Angola.

Today’s Post editorial is just the latest in a wave of pointed criticisms against President Obama for his short-sighted remarks in Brazil on energy development. Others: (continue reading…)

The Virginian-Pilot newspaper features a lengthy Q&A today with  Barry DuVal, the president and CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, “He’s all (pro-)business at the Va. Chamber of Commerce.” On manufacturing:

Q. Is there any way for the state to reverse the current decline of the manufacturing sector?

A. There will continue to be a need to manufacture and ship products from the United States, and we are well positioned with our work force. Despite what you hear, the U.S. is still the leading manufacturer in the world. It’s still the highest-paying jobs.

And there is an opportunity for growth in this market for Virginia. Virginia’s work force is very competitive for those jobs. No one questioned the quality of the work at the Ford manufacturing plant. It wasn’t the work force but economic realities beyond that that forced the closure. I think the Ford plant will go through a rejuvenation. We’ve had discussions about energy in Virginia, and there are some short-term and long-term opportunities in that sector.

Lots of opportunities. Virginia was the top state for doing business according to CNBC’s state-by-state rankings in 2009, and is still No. 2 this year.

Jay Timmons, executive vice president of the National Association of Manufacturers, issued a statement in reaction to President Obama’s announced support for some expanded offshore energy development.

The take away:

• Today’s announcement by President Obama to move forward with opening portions of the Outer Continental Shelf for oil and natural gas exploration and development is a positive step toward a lower cost domestic energy supply and ensuring U.S. energy security and independence. Manufacturers commend the President for his leadership on this issue.
• While manufacturers support the President’s announcement, we also believe the Administration has missed an opportunity to take advantage of proven and known reserves in Alaska and other portions of the OCS and to expedite the leasing process. To shut down known resources only hinders our ability to reduce our foreign energy dependence and create jobs.

From the governor’s office, a news release, “Governor McDonnell Signs Legislation Positioning Virginia to Become the “Energy Capital of the East Coast”

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell was joined by a bipartisan group of delegates and senators this afternoon as he signed legislation that will allocate 80% of future offshore royalties and revenues to transportation and the remaining 20% to the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium, which researches and develops renewable energy solutions.  HB 756, a key piece of the Governor’s ‘Jobs and Opportunities’ Agenda, will allocate 80% of future offshore royalties and revenues to transportation (70% to Transportation Trust Fund and 10% to local transportation projects) and the remaining 20% to the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium, which researches and develops renewable energy solutions.  Equally important, HB 787 provides a clear statement of the Commonwealth in support of oil and natural gas exploration, development, and production 50 miles or more off Virginia’s coast.  The Governor and members of his administration have been in steady communication with United States Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar expressing strong support for keeping the offshore lease sale on schedule for 2011.  These pieces of legislation underscore those efforts and provide valuable evidence of Virginia’s readiness to lead on offshore exploration and drilling.

While signing the legislation, Governor McDonnell remarked, “These key pieces of legislation are necessary to help Virginia become the ‘Energy Capital of the East Coast.’  Virginians understand that this common–sense policy will lead to millions of dollars in revenue as well as thousands of new jobs.  Revenue gained from offshore exploration will go directly to two key areas–transportation and energy research and development.  Millions of dollars will go towards improving our transportation system that will ensure the free flow of commerce and attract further business investments in the Commonwealth.  By investing 20% in renewable energy research and production we will ensure that energy sources of the future, such as wind and biofuels, are made more commercially practicable.”

• HB756: http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi–bin/legp504.exe?ses=101&typ=bil&val=HB756
• HB787: http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi–bin/legp504.exe?ses=101&typ=bil&val=HB787

News coverage…

AP, “Va. gov McDonnell signs offshore energy bills”

WTVR, “McDonnell signs offshore drilling bills”