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Richmond, VA - Yesterday, Rep. Robert Goodlatte, (R-VA 6th District) released the Virginia Access to Energy Act, which requires offshore leasing of a 2 million acre area off the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay no later than one year after the law passes.  Environment Virginia Advocate J.R. Tolbert released the following statement in response:

“This bill is a 2 cent solution to a $4.00 problem.  Opening up the coast of Virginia will do nothing to increase energy independence or lower gas prices for the people of Virginia.  Rather than drilling off Virginia’s coastlines we need to invest in renewable energy like solar, offshore wind and tidal energy.   

“This bill will force offshore oil leasing off the coast of Virginia that would hamper critical testing, training and rocket launches that the Navy, Air Force and NASA conduct at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.  In addition, the proposed leasing area is an important habitat for migrating whales, sea turtles, valuable commercial fisheries and contains an area vital to the larval development of all of the Chesapeake Bay’s blue crabs.

“Offshore drilling is still a dirty and dangerous business that risks catastrophic damage and chronic pollution to our stressed oceans and beloved beaches.  It makes little sense to drill off Virginia’s precious coast and beaches when so many jobs are dependent on clean beaches, clean oceans and unfettered access to the ocean for our military.

“According to U.S. government employment data, in 2007 Virginia had 116,000 jobs in tourism businesses in coastal counties alone, another 5,500 jobs in recreational fishing and thousands more in commercial fishing for a total direct impact of $4.3 billion dollars in sustainable business dependent on the ocean.  The Navy and Air Force payroll and jobs in Tidewater Virginia account for tens of thousands additional jobs and billions in revenue.  These jobs and their economic impact on the commonwealth far outweigh even the rosiest of estimates made by drilling proponents for job creation.

“Instead of drilling off the coast of Virginia, our elected officials should focus on renewable energy like wind and wave power from our oceans. Unlike drilling, these renewable sources of energy will ultimately provide more jobs for the people of Virginia, not pollute the ocean or atmosphere, and can position Virginia as a leader in the 21st century clean energy economy.”