COMSTOCK FOR DELEGATE BLOG
Delegate Comstock Joins Governor McDonnell and General Assembly Leaders at Bill Signing
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:<span style="font-size: 11pt;" times="" new="" roman="" ,="" serif="" ;=""> Contact:<span style="font-size: 11pt;" times="" new="" roman="" ,="" serif="" ;=""> Ian Gallagher
<span style="font-size: 11pt;" times="" new="" roman="" ,="" serif="" ;="">March 10, 2010 (804) 698-1034
<span style="font-size: 11pt;" times="" new="" roman="" ,="" serif="" ;=""> [email protected].gov
Delegate
Comstock Joins Governor McDonnell and General Assembly Leaders As
Governor
McDonnell Signs Legislation Positioning Virginia to Become the "Energy
Capital of the East Coast"
– Positions
Commonwealth to Move Forward in Becoming First State on East Coast to Explore
for Oil and Natural Gas Offshore; Part of Governor's Comprehensive Energy Plan
for Commonwealth –
<span times="" new="" roman="" ,="" serif="" ;="">Today,
Delegate Barbara Comstock (R-McLean), Joined Governor McDonnell and Legislative
Leaders on Energy Legislation and released the following statement:
RICHMOND <span times="" new="" roman="" ,="" serif="" ;="">–
“I was proud to join Governor Bob McDonnell and a bipartisan group of
delegates and senators this afternoon as the Governor signed legislation that
will allocate 80% of future offshore royalties and revenues to transportation
and the remaining 20% to the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium, which
researches and develops renewable energy solutions.
<span times="" new="" roman="" ,="" serif="" ;="">“Legislation that I
introduced, HB 900, was “rolled” into HB 756, a key piece of the Governor's
'Jobs and Opportunities' Agenda. This bill will allocate 80% of future
offshore royalties and revenues to transportation (70% to Transportation Trust
Fund and 10% to local transportation projects) and the remaining 20% to the
Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium, which researches and develops
renewable energy solutions. Equally important, HB 787, another key piece
of legislation that I co-patroned provides a clear statement of the
Commonwealth in support of oil and natural gas exploration, development, and
production 50 miles or more off Virginia's coast. The Governor and
members of his administration have been in steady communication with United
States Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar expressing strong support for
keeping the offshore lease sale on schedule for 2011. Earlier this month,
my colleagues and I also sent a letter to Secretary Salazar. (LINK)
<span times="" new="" roman="" ,="" serif="" ;="">“In his statement at the
bill signing, Governor McDonnell explained, ‘These key pieces of legislation
are necessary to help Virginia become the 'Energy Capital of the East
Coast.' Virginians understand that this common–sense policy will lead to
millions of dollars in revenue as well as thousands of new jobs. Revenue
gained from offshore exploration will go directly to two key
areas–transportation and energy research and development. Millions of
dollars will go towards improving our transportation system that will ensure
the free flow of commerce and attract further business investments in the
Commonwealth. By investing 20% in renewable energy research and
production we will ensure that energy sources of the future, such as wind and
biofuels, are made more commercially practicable.’
<span times="" new="" roman="" ,="" serif="" ;="">“The Governor went on to
say, ‘It's clear that the policy of the Commonwealth is to support both oil and
natural gas exploration, development, and production. This is an issue
with bipartisan consensus–both of Virginia's U.S. Senators, and most of our
Congressmen agree, that environmentally–safe, offshore energy development is a
matter of national and economic security. In addition, we're sending an
important message that we are ready to go – and there should be no reason for
Washington to delay the approval of the offshore lease sale and eventually
exploration and drilling. Virginia is ready– we hope the federal
government will move forward and join us in saying 'yes'. I thank the
patrons of this legislation, and leaders on this issue, and look forward to
working with them to ensure Virginia becomes the first state on the East Coast
to explore for oil and natural gas offshore.’
<span times="" new="" roman="" ,="" serif="" ;="">“I am particularly
pleased that future revenue from offshore energy exploration will be dedicated
to a new stream of much needed transportation funds as well as research and
development. This bill will be an asset to the economic viability and
security of the Commonwealth. I was proud to champion this part of the
Governor's 'Jobs and Opportunities Agenda' in the House of Delegates this
session, and am pleased to see it signed into law today.”
To see the bills please visit:
<span times="" new="" roman="" ,="" serif="" ;="">To learn more about the
Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium please see: http://www.vcerc.org/
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