Logic, not hype, on offshore drilling

It's no particular surprise that a congressman from 3,000 miles away would introduce a bill to accelerate drilling off the coast of Virginia. The surprise is that any Virginia congressman would help.

But U.S. Reps. Scott Rigell and Rob Wittman are co-sponsoring a bill by Rep. Doc Hastings, the head of the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee.

For the Republican congressman from Washington state and his constituents, drilling off Virginia is a great deal. They don't face the risk of a spill, and any oil or gas found off Virginia's coast would produce financial benefits for the Evergreen State.

Perhaps Virginians thought they might directly benefit since they would also absorb most of the risk. Nope.

The current federal royalty scheme wouldn't give Virginia money from drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf. Even if all other states agreed to forgo federal royalties, Virginia would still be cheated. That's because the map allocating offshore territory gives Virginia only a small, pie-shaped piece of the Atlantic Ocean. Much of Virginia's ocean - and royalties - belongs to Maryland and North Carolina.

Hastings makes his case this way: "The majority of Americans support off-shore energy production, and these bills will allow it to move forward in a safe, responsible and efficient manner." Interestingly, all U.S. senators from the West Coast have asked that new drilling off their coast be prohibited.

In a statement, Hastings cited the usual arguments for drilling off Virginia - jobs and lower gas prices. But if the offshore industry in the Gulf of Mexico is any indication, many workers fly in and out, spending minimal time in nearby communities.

And since gas prices are set on the world market, it is unlikely that a petroleum multinational will give local discounts out of the goodness of their hearts. They certainly haven't done so along the Gulf of Mexico or in California, which has wells off its shores.

But this isn't really about logic, or arguments or costs and benefits.

The oil industry is very powerful in Washington, D.C., and Richmond. Less than a year after the disaster in the gulf, the petroleum industry's leaders are pushing as hard as they can to drill off Virginia's coast because they believe it will lead to drilling off every coast.

They couldn't care less whether this represents a good deal for Virginians or for the people of Hampton Roads. They have their eyes elsewhere.

It's no wonder that a guy from the West Coast would want to get things started by drilling off Virginia Beach. It's what the oil companies want. But given last year's disaster, and the horrendous deal this represents for the commonwealth, Virginians should be skeptical of such illusory treasures - and any politician who promises them.