Energy Forum News
Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on Passage of Offshore Drilling Legislation
Governor McDonnell responds to passage of offshore drilling legislation in the House Natural Resources Committee. 
Rigell plans offshore drilling bill
Days after Virginia's U.S. senators made an appeal to open the state's coast to offshore drilling, Rep. Scott Rigell, R-Virginia Beach, said he will introduce House legislation asking for the same.
Rigell steps up pressure to allow offshore drilling
Virginia lawmakers in Washington again are pushing for oil and natural gas drilling off the state's coast, especially after President Barack Obama announced he wants more domestic production of fossil fuels on land and beneath the Gulf of Mexico.
Allen: : "I am going to be like a dog on a bone on energy"
U.S. senate hopeful George Allen said Tuesday night at a Fredericksburg library that one of the first things he would do if elected is to propose legislation that would allow Virginia to explore for natural gas and oil off its coast and share in the royalties.
Sens. Webb, Warner renew call for offshore drilling in Virginia
U.S. Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner, both Virginia Democrats, again asked the Obama administration to open the state's coast to oil and natural gas exploration.
Energy plays key role in Obama's State of the Union
For the third year in a row energy played a central role in President Obama's State of the Union address, with the president leaning hard this year on the twin themes of increased domestic oil and gas production and the need to invest more in renewable sources.
Va. Gov. Bob McDonnell's 2011 State of the Commonwealth address
Not only did Gov. McDonnell say, "Making Virginia 'The Energy Capital of the East Coast' will create more jobs and revenues for our citizens.", he described how this could be possible.
TransCanada Pipeline Bill Would Force U.S. Permit Within 60 Days
Senate Republicans introduced a bill that would require the Secretary of State to issue a U.S. permit for the Keystone XL pipeline within 60 days. This still "provides adequate time for Nebraska to shift the route of the pipeline" while allowing construction to begin elsewhere.
Letter to President Obama on Keystone Pipeline
In response to the Administration's announcement that it would delay approval of the TransCanada Corp.'s Keystone XL $7 billion pipeline, Virginia Congressman Randy Forbes joined 14 Congressmen in sending a letter to President Obama asking him to move forward with approving the pipeline.
Senator Webb Statement on Virginia's Exclusion from Offshore Drilling Plan
The Administration released its new plans for offshore drilling, and Senator Webb said: "I am hopeful that the Administration will reconsider the inclusion of Virginia in its five-year lease plan."
Governor Deeply Critical of Department of the Interior Decision
Governor Bob McDonnell reacted sharply to the Obama Administration's new Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Development Plan, which failed to include oil and gas exploration leases off Virginia's Atlantic Coast.
Statement from George Allen on Virginia's Exclusion from the Five-Year Federal Oil and Gas Leasing Plan
Former Governor Allen voices his opposition to the Administration's obstruction of Virginia's energy resources in its proposed Five-Year Federal Oil and Gas Leasing Plan.
Growing economy is the key, says GOP Senate hopeful George Allen
Getting the nation back on a track to grow -- in part by easing corporate tax burdens and regulations, and in part by developing Virginia's oil, gas and coal -- would be George Allen's top priority if elected to the U.S. Senate next year.
It's time for real 'energy action'
Former Governor Allen discusses "energy action" ideas to "make our country safer, keep money here in the USA and lower the cost of energy for all Americans".
Offshore Virginia Energy Important in Presidential Election
Legislation introduced in July by VA Senators Mark Warner and Jim Webb - to open waters off Virginia's coast to gas and oil exploration in 2012 - is attracting interest among many politicians, including presidential candidate Newt Gingrich.
Fracking ruled out as contributor to East Coast quake
Despite blog posts and Internet essays, expanded gas drilling had nothing to do with the Aug. 23 Virginia earthquake that shook the region, several scientists said. No one has connected the "hydraulic fracturing" drilling technique used in shale layers with strong, widespread earthquakes.
Warner and McDonnell - Bipartisan support for offshore drilling.
Senator Mark Warner and Governor McDonnell see jobs and economic growth in access to oil and natural gas off the shores of Virginia.
Politics of Oil Moves to Virginia Coast
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va. wants Virginia to become the first East Coast state to allow offshore drilling, which he sees as a pragmatic way to bring jobs and new revenue to his state.
Gulf Offshore Could Support 400,000 Jobs
According to a new study, the Gulf offshore oil and gas industry supported more than 240,000 jobs across the country. And "... if exploration and development permitting return to historic levels and backlogged projects are processed, the Gulf offshore industry could help create an additional 190,000 jobs by 2013."
Why Raising Oil Taxes Will Hurt the Economy
As Congress and President Obama work towards a deal in addressing the current debt and budget, there have been demands to raise taxes on the oil industry. Raising taxes on the oil industry could have a detrimental impact on the economy, as well as causing unemployment numbers to rise.
