Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell said two major energy initiatives that would bring new revenues to the state and create thousands of jobs are moving forward in separate federal approval processes.
The U.S. House Natural Resources Committee last week passed legislation to open new offshore areas for oil and natural gas production, including the waters off the Virginia coast.
“I call upon Congress to quickly pass this legislation that will allow the energy industry to expedite production to create jobs, speed our economic recovery, and move our state and our nation one step closer to energy independence,” McDonnell said.
In another measure supported by the governor, the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management last week called for information to determine industry interest in locations off the Virginia coast for commercial wind energy leases.
