Virginia legislators expected to take up offshore drilling bill tomorrow

Mr. Bailey left out the rest of the story. From CNN "But the oil industry says it pays millions of dollars for these leases, and that it would not make sense to purposely leave the areas untapped. Rather, years of exploration is required before drilling can even begin. In some cases, no oil is found on leases they hold. In others, drilling the wells and building the pipelines takes years. It is especially hard now that a worldwide boom in oil exploration has pushed up the prices - and timelines - for skilled workers and specialized equipment. "No one is sitting on leases these days," said Rayola Dougher, senior economic advisor for the American Petroleum Institute. "Those making those assertions don't understand the bidding and leasing process." Another article - http://blogs.unionleader.com/andrew-cline/?p=1179
asnerj-How soon is very near. Or do I have to research that definitio

do your own research and you will find out that oil companies are sitting on land leased. Don't expect me to do your homework, and Don, yes, laws do affect gas mileage. It forces companies to perform more R&D. By the way Don, don't you realize that gas mileage in vehicles is down from what it was in the '80s? Why is that? One reason is our infatuation with bigger cars/trucks, but another is that companies have no incentive to produce cars/trucks with better mileage. Mandates would give the companies incentives. Or perhaps tax incentives as well... something needs to be done. Also, people need to remember that the Navy is against drilling off of VA's coast. If we allow it, we could lose them...all we need to do is look at the actions of VA Beach...see how close they came to losing Oceana...

The technology is very near, closer then the prospect of Drilling for oil. Priorities man; we would have this in place in half the time it would take to get a drop out of the ground. FACT! Why not do some research of your own

It is clear to everyone that this issue is not an issue but the desire for Republicans to serve their constituents and not responsibly think to real solutions. Oh, they will tout fear by way of stopping that subsistence on foreign oil but they are grossly negligent to the issue at hand. The fact is, Republicans are lying about any good this would create and they simply want to destroy rather then innovate. That, friends, is un-American. At this point, it is a comedy of errors. What ever happened to American Know How? We know what we are capable but Republicans want Oil companies to control, they have a vested interest

Why propose to pay for something we need now with something that may or may not be operational 5-10 years from now? Why put off to tomorrow something you could do today - have the guts to pass the gas tax-not new fees or tolls (it is all the same-just different Labels).

What are your resources to back up your claim that the oil companies are not drilling for oil on leased land here in America? Also what proof do you have that off shore drilling for more oil and natural gas will NOT reduce the costs of the price we pay for these products? It stands to reason that if we get our own resources of energy, we can tell the middle east to drink their oil. Therefore the prices should come down. Even if they don't, I would rather pay American workers to pump it than foreigners. There is credible evidence that these resources are available off our coast and I think we should get it before someone else does. I am all for renewable and cleaner alternatives, BUT we still need our gasoline for our cars and truckers need diesel fuel. You just can't pour in a bottle of Crisco into your tank tonight and drive your car to work tomorrow morning. Are we to just park them and go back to horse and bu

I'm opposed to drilling our coastline until we drilling in the millions of acres already under lease by the oil companies. Why give them access to the shore when they haven't touched most of the land they already have under control? This is just one more political stunt. Repub or Dem who really cares? This isn't going to reduce the cost of one gallon of gas in America...

Drilling off the coast of Virginia for oil or natural gas will never happen until democrats lose their seats in the state senate and the U.S. senate. Until that happens, you can forget about any chance of reducing the costs of a gallon of gas or heating costs this winter. Thank you DEMS! And they chastise republicans for obstruction. Gee wizz!

"What happens when 60,000 people are killed because they could not evacuate before the next hurricane due to gridlock??"

Suuure. Now your plea for drilling is credible. This is the underlying problem to al lof the proponents of drilling. They are all knee jerk reactions that are embellished in an attempt to kick and scream themselves to a solution. Sadly, they will find no pot of gold at the end of this rainbow.

60,000? Wow. That's liking adding up Indonesia, Katrina, and every other natural disaster together. Even then it falls short. Scare tactic anyone?

WOW! Just pass a law and vehicles will get 45mpg? We should have done it sooner. Yep, just pass a law and forget all that engineering and physics stuff.

While we're at it, lets make it 100mpg and for any size vehicle. After, all we just have to pass a law, right.

Gee, all Bush had to do was let Congress pass a law and we get instant better mileage. Shame on him, its all Bush's fault. And all this time I thought it was the laws of fluid resistance and thermodynamics getting in the way.

Use the profits to fix our transportation problems here in Hampton Roads / Tidewater....I saw a 10 mile back up on the HR Bridge Tunnel yesterday. This traffic gridlock will soon impact very negatively on our area economy. What happens when the James River Bridge gets stuck for a week next time instead of just a couple of hours?? What happens when 60,000 people are killed because they could not evacuate before the next hurricane due to gridlock?? Our leaders are suppose to lead, not suck-up to special interest groups and this means all environmentalist finatics too. I do not care if you are Demos or Repubs GET THE JOB DONE.

Then I guess the US Navy is on the side of the terrorist states now. Who would've figured that? Also, I did not realize that the Navy was in leagues with evil rich liberals. By the way, you have to love the fact that a rep. from Staunton sponsors this bill. Oh and Curtis, natural gas has nothing to do with oil, and they would drill for natural gas off the VA coast, not oil. Please come up with better arguments -- it's getting pathetic.

Billions to terrorist states? Liberals can afford $6 petro? These comments are gibberish. The conservatives have been on watch for years, but it's the democrats fault?

I grow more thankful every day I read these msg boards that Citizen Madison had the good sense to institute a checks-and-balances approach to governing. Clearly there are knuckleheads in both camps.

Hmmm...no....liberals or conservatives are strapped for cash b/c of an 18% increase in VA POWER and a 35% increase in VA Natural Gas. Oh yeah, groceries, too. A weak dollar?

Why not urge our state reps to lobby the national powers that be to increase the amount a normal, not hybrid vehicle, can get per gallon. Yep, we have the technology, but, hmmm...there's someome in the White House who will only agree to increase the MPG by a mile or so over the next decade. Why not have cars that get 45/55 (or more) or find a reasonable and accessable alternative to fossil fuel?

Again, please don't delude yourself into thinking that ANYONE, I MEAN ANYONE has extra change to spare at this juncture. UGH!

Why would any well meaning delegate open this can of worms again? Certainly, the issue of off shore drilling is a complex issue with many diverse and legitimate views that must be worked out through negotiation and compromise. To propose it now, when the crucial strategic issue we face is transportation, reveals the continuing tactics of the majority in the House of Delegates to delay and obfuscate so that no solution is passed. Fact is, Virginians know that we must raise revenue, and most have now agreed that user taxes and fees with a nexus to transportation, tolls, and concessions, in some fair combination, are absolutely necessary to stop years of deterioration and neglect of our transportation assets. This recent proposal is just another in a long line of irrelevant proposals meant to deflect blame from where it belongs; that is, squarely on the so called leadership and delegates f

Now who in their right mind (or even unright mind) would not vote for drilling for oil. Is there some kind of madness going around (or heaven forbid... a conspiracy) that what we need to do is start drilling? A moron can see that, but obviously not our elected leaders. Even if it takes a few years, what would the gas prices be if we had not drilled for oil. Seems our officials want to keep us under their thumb, and since they really don't pay for gas, (assuming they have an official car) it doesn't hurt them. I say, THROW THE BUMS OUT!!!!

If we must have groups and division, then would it be fair to say that the democraticatic opposition may just be the people who are smart enough to see that it is an empty gesture?

Does it not bother any of you that this was not an issue until a presidential candidate brought it up? Apparently it was not important until it made national news. So now that it is said aloud we have to rush to legislation? So are the representaives in Virginia only capable of reaction to others ideas or are the simply followers who are scared to act without national party support? I say they are cowardly sheep.

A vote not to drill is a vote to continue to give billions of dollars to terrorist states.

Prediction : Democrats will kill it.

Reason: they have liberal voters with lots of money who can afford $6.00 a gal. who don't want the drilling of oil.