Press Releases

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement today questioning the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Proposed Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Development Plan for 2012-2017, which excludes exploration off Virginia’s coast:

“As winter approaches, energy prices continue to rise because of world market conditions and overregulation by the EPA.  Developing resources located off the Commonwealth’s coast can help lower energy prices, increase our energy security, and create good paying jobs. It has been estimated that 750 million barrels of oil and 6.65 trillion cubic feet of natural gas are contained off the coast of Virginia. 

“Failing to include Virginia in this plan would be a missed opportunity.  I’ve joined with other members of the Virginia Delegation asking Secretary Salazar to reconsider this proposal. More federal barriers to production will not help get Virginians back to work.

“The Proposed Program will be open for a public comment period before a final version is submitted to the President and Congress. I encourage people to submit their comments by visiting www.regulations.gov.

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