Virginia Lawmakers Vote to Ban Offshore Oil Drilling

Virginia is moving to block drilling for oil off the state’s coast under legislation that passed through both the House of Delegates and state Senate this week.
 
The bills say Virginia state agencies cannot grant leases or easements for any pipelines or other infrastructure for oil and gas produced offshore under a permit or lease from the federal government.
 
The Trump administration has been pushing expand offshore drilling for oil, including opening areas in the Atlantic, but that effort has sparked strong opposition in Virginia and other coastal states.
 
Although the federal government is empowered to grant leases and permits for drilling, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission has the authority to lease or grant use of ground under the state’s tidal waters. The state Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy regulates gathering pipelines as well as onshore wells.
 
In essence, Virginia can’t stop the federal government from allowing drilling on the outer continental shelf, but the state can block efforts to bring that oil or gas ashore through Virginia.
 
Both the House bill and an identically worded Senate bill have passed through both bodies, and are now headed to Gov. Ralph Northam.
 
Northam has long opposed offshore drilling, and two years ago was one of the coastal state governors who asked Congress to reject a proposal to open federal lands and waters to oil exploration and production.
 
State law already bans drilling for oil in Chesapeake Bay.
 
"Offshore drilling in Virginia would threaten not only clean water and coastal habitat, but also our economy," Chesapeake Bay Foundation Virginia Executive Director Peggy Sanner said in a statement.
 
"This legislation is an important step in protecting Virginia from dangerous and unnecessary drilling in waters off our coast," she said. “The General Assembly has sent a clear message that Virginia opposes risky offshore oil and gas production, joining a chorus of Virginia localities and municipalities up and down the Atlantic Coast."
 
Both the House and Senate bill passed on bipartisan votes, with the Senate version passing that body on a 23-17 vote and the House on a 61-39 vote. The House version passed that body 64-34 and the Senate 23-17.