The U.S. Navy has a different view of oil drilling off Virginia’s coast than our esteemed governor.
A newly released U.S. Defense Department report shows that exploratory drilling for oil and natural gas off almost three-quarters of the Virginia shoreline where the government has proposed those activities is incompatible with military operations and training.
The report is the latest potential setback to a plan strongly endorsed by Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) to conclude sales of leases to companies interested in drilling 50 miles off Virginia’s coast by 2012.
The Defense Department report, concluded in March but released in part Tuesday by Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.), a drilling opponent, indicates that drilling would interfere with military activities, including ordnance training and carrier operations, in 72 percent of the 3 million acres covered by the lease sale and that it could be allowed only with restrictions in 6 percent of the area. Norfolk is home to the world’s largest naval base.
So…we already know that Bob McDonnell doesn’t give a rat’s hindquarter’s about the environment. Now, let’s see if he cares what the U.S. Navy thinks.
P.S. Maybe McDonnell can ask Ken Kook-inelli to sue the Navy on this? After all, Crazy Cooch says it only costs $350. Ha.
UPDATE: Mark Warner says:
This is the reason why we have a multi-year, multi-agency review process, to allow local, state and federal stakeholders to weigh-in and recommend ways to mitigate any concerns. Senator Warner believes we should gather all of the relevant information as we continue to evaluate Virginia’s offshore wind, natural gas and oil potential.
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