VA Gov – Offshore Drilling

Overview:  This is the first in what I hope to be a series of posts about important issues and where Virginia’s candidates for governor stand on the issue.  I am not picking these issues in any particular order.  I will endeavor to stick to the facts until the section of the post titled “Groveton’s Grip”.  In that section I will provide my personal opinion on the matter.  It should be noted that I have yet to decide who I support for governor.  I will vote in the June 9 Democratic primary although I might well vote for Mr. McDonnell in November.  My thoughts on any given issue are only a component of my thoughts on any given candidate.  Also, I will endeavor to reference specifics on the candidate’s stance on the issue.  If anybody believes that I have misrepresented the candidate’s position on the issue – please leave a comment or send me an e-mail at Groveton@GMail.Com.  I will correct any proven mistakes.

Offshore drilling:This shouldn’t be too hard to define.  It’s the extraction of any natural resource from below the ground underwater.  Most people think of drilling for oil and natural gas via derricks out in the ocean.  I think that’s a fair definition.  Basically, “the people” own the mineral rights under the waters surrounding the United States.  The government, at its option, leases these rights to companies engaged in the energy business.  For a map of where these leases exist – look here.  As you can see, there is plenty of unleased space off the coast of Virginia.

Pros and cons - On the positive side offshore drilling produces oil and gas which help keep down the costs of energy.  It provides jobs and helps reduce America’s dependence on foreign energy.  On the negative side offshore drilling has the potential for accidents which can cause extreme ecological damage and the oil and gas rigs are ugly and unnatural – hurting the scenic beauty of the natural environment.  Finally, extracting oil and gas offshore increases supplies of those materials, reduces the cost of those materials and thereby provides a disincentive for conservation and alternative energy development.

The candidates and their positions:

Bob McDonnell -I think this is easy.  He’s strongly in favor of offshore drilling.  His official web site doesn’t seem to mention his position (that I can find) but Mr. McDonnell has been widely quoted as being in favor of offshore drilling.  The Appamatox Area News provided the following direct quote from Bob McDonnell, “Virginians need jobs and secure sources of domestic energy. A large part of the answer lies off our coast, out of sight from our beaches, but of great benefit to all our communities. As Governor I will ensure that we explore and develop our offshore energy resources. Our energy policy should not be either/or. It should be “all of the above.” I am equally committed to making Virginia a leader when it comes to research, development, and production of alternative sources of energy like solar, biomass, and wind. ” .  I believe Bob McDonnell has been clear on his position and I congratulate him on that clarity.  Whether you agree with his position or not – he is taking a stand on this matter.

Brian Moran -I think Mr. Moran’s position is equally clear.  He doesn’t support offshore drilling at all.  Like Mr. McDonnell, Mr. Moran’s web site is unclear on his position vis-a-vis offshore drilling.  As a side note, Moran’s web site section on issues is a whole lot better than McDonnell’s.  Hopefully, Bob McDonnell will improve this after the Democratic primary.  Mr. Moran’s public statements on offshore drilling (unlike his web site) are clear.  He is widely quoted as having said, “Twenty years ago the Exxon Valdez spill caused untold ecological damage and environmental harm. On a day like today we must consider the important environmental treasures here in Virginia. There is no stronger reminder of why we need alternative energy solutions, like offshore wind, rather than offshore drilling. We can’t solve our 21st century energy challenges with 19th century fossil fuels.”.  That seems clear enough to me.  As with Mr. McDonnell, I congratulate Mr. Moran on his clarity.

Terry McAuliffe -Mr. McAuliffe’s position on this is anything but clear.  A scan of his 30 page energy plan makes numerous references to “offshore” but all are in reference to offshore wind farms (which he loves).  There is no reference to “drilling”.  I have found no direct quote on his position and various pundits disagree as to where he stands.  Once upon a time the consensus of the blogosphere was that McAuliffe either a) favored exploration but reserved judgement on full scale drilling or b) favored drilling but only for natural gas.  Mr. McAuliffe – you need to take a position here.  There are only so many options – drill baby drill, now way – no how, explore for now – decide later, only natural gas.

Creigh Deeds -Like McAuliffe, Sen. Deeds’ position is ambiguous.  His web site has a section on the environment.  Unlike McAuliffe’s 30 page energy opus, Sen. Deeds section on The Environment was only 8 paragraphs long.  No mention of offshore drilling – one way or the other.  Likewise, direct quotes attributable to Sen. Deeds are absent.  Several sources say that Deeds is in favor of exploration but offer no direct quotes or references.  Sen. Deeds – you spend a lot of time talking about your 23 years of service to the Commonwealth.  You must have thought about this during that time.  Quit making us guess – what is your position?

Summary of candidate positions -McDonnell: drill, baby drill; Moran: now way, no how; McAuliffe: No stated position, Deeds: No stated position.

Groveton’s Grip: It’s all risk reward.  Everybody in the know thinks there is oil and gas under the sea off Virginia but nobody knows how much.  Estimates vary between 130 million barrels and 900 billion barrels.  Yeah – you read that right, between 130 MILLION and 900 BILLION.  That’s a big difference!  I say explore now.  There is no good reason to say yes or no to full scale drilling until the size of the prize is known.  If it’s on the 130 million end – no way.  But 900 billion?  Or ever 20% of that?  Drill baby drill.