Critics cite offshore drilling damage

Supporters want to explore Virginia's coastline, but critics question advantages.

By KIMBALL PAYNE | 247-4765

January 14, 2009

Environmental activists and prominent Virginia Democrats banded together Tuesday to tell the federal government to abandon plans to open the state's coastline to oil and natural gas drilling by the end of 2011.

Congress allowed a ban on offshore drilling to expire at the end of September, and the U.S. Department of the Interior has been collecting feedback from citizens, elected officials and environmental groups on plans to open up tracts off the state's coastline in the next three years. As the comment period ended Tuesday, a handful of conservation groups sent letters to the federal Minerals Management Service saying that potential damage from drilling far outweighs the amount of buried resources.

"Climate change is already causing stress on the wildlife that make the ocean so special in this area," wrote Kay Slaughter, an attorney with the Southeastern Environmental Law Center. "Virginia Beach is rated 10th in the world in terms of expected impacts from climate change; drilling would only exacerbate this situation."

In addition to the law center, the letter was also sent on behalf of the Virginia chapter of the Sierra Club, the Virginia League of Conservation Voters and Environment Virginia.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine requested that federal officials do more research and extend the public comment period until the end of February so that the incoming members of President-elect Barack Obama's administration have time to weigh the potential advantages and drawbacks that come with new drilling. Obama has said that he supports more offshore drilling, but only if it is part of a broader approach that also develops renewable and alternative energy sources.

Offshore drilling proponents say ratcheting up domestic oil production would send an important message to oil-producing countries and help drive down high gasoline prices. It's unclear how long it would take to get to any oil or natural gas reserves, and just how much could be gleaned from Virginia's coast remains in dispute. Officials also worry that drilling platforms could interfere with Navy training exercises.

Kaine said Virginia leaders support searching for natural gas, but drilling for oil is a more controversial topic. Critics say exploration and drilling could harm marine life including humpback whales, dolphins, sea turtles and migratory birds while also threatening the health of commercial and recreational fishing and beach-tourism along the entire East Coast.

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