Bill Text: VA SB814 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Offshore energy resources; State to support oil and natural gas exploration, etc., exception.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-01-24 - Senate: Passed by indefinitely in Commerce and Labor (10-Y 3-N 1-A) [SB814 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2011-SB814-Introduced.html

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11103352D
SENATE BILL NO. 814 Offered January 12, 2011 Prefiled January 5, 2011 A BILL to amend and reenact § 67-300 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Commonwealth's policy with respect to offshore energy resources. ---------- Patron-- McEachin ---------- Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That § 67-300 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 67-300. Offshore energy resources.

A. In recognition of the need for energy independence, and being cognizant of the risks evidenced by the tragedy following the April 20, 2010, explosion of the semisubmersible drilling rig Deepwater Horizon, it shall be the policy of the Commonwealth to support federal efforts to:

1. Determine the extent of oil and natural gas resources 50 75 miles or more off the Atlantic shoreline, including appropriate federal funding for such an investigation; and

2. Permit the production and development of oil and natural gas resources 50 75 miles or more off the Atlantic shoreline taking, provided they occur in a manner that takes into account the impact effects of such production and development on affected localities, the armed forces of the United States of America, and the mid-Atlantic regional spaceport, and further provided that no exploration, production, or development shall be permitted that would adversely affect the natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay, including its fish, wildlife, and aquatic resources and the habitat and ecological functions upon which they depend.

B. The policy of the Commonwealth shall further support the inclusion of the Atlantic Planning Areas in the Minerals Management Service's draft environmental impact statement with respect to oil and natural gas exploration, production, and development 50 miles or more off the Atlantic shoreline.

C. It shall be the policy of the Commonwealth to support federal efforts to examine:

1. Examine the feasibility of offshore wind energy being utilized in an environmentally responsible fashion; and

2. Permit the siting and development of commercial-scale offshore wind installations.