Governor gets a gift with gust-o

They say the spirit of giving is to give without expecting something in return.

If that's so, then the offering given to Gov. Bob McDonnell Wednesday by an environmental group doesn't meet the standard.

Members of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network presented the governor's senior energy advisor, Maureen Matsen, with $400 in renewable energy credits from wind power. (We're guessing it wasn't delivered with a bow.) That enought to offset the amount of coal-power electricity used at the Governor's Mansion for year, the group said.

The group wants McDonnell to commit to supporting offshore wind power, instead of drilling, as a key piece of the state't suture energy strategy.

McDonnell spokeswoman Stacey Johnson nodded towards the gesture when asked about it, saying “Deputy Secretary Matsen was pleased to accept this generous contribution on behalf of the governor. We are grateful for their support of our efforts to advance offshore wind development.”

If the renewable energy credits can be used at the mansion, she added, they will be.

-- Julian Walker

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