WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement tonight:
"I was pleased the President began his speech with a strong call for a bipartisan grand bargain to continue to address our deficits and debt.
A balanced plan that includes additional revenue, smarter spending cuts and responsible entitlement reform -- and avoids the self-inflcted wounds from sequester -- is a key component of any economic growth agenda.
The President also endorsed a proposal I unveiled last week to work to double our nation's energy productivity by 2030, and I look forward to helping to lead the effort to make smart investments to rebuild our nation's infrastructure.
We will have many opportunities in the weeks and months ahead to work together to strengthen the economic recovery and move our country forward."
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) issued the following statement on the U.S. Department of Energy’s announcement today of an award to Dominion Virginia Power to further develop offshore wind technology. The Energy Department will award Dominion up to $4 million to complete engineering, design, and permitting for an innovative offshore wind project off the coast of Virginia Beach:
“This is a positive step forward for the Commonwealth,” Sen. Warner said. “Developing our offshore energy resources will help create domestic manufacturing jobs and strengthen Virginia’s economy. It also advances efforts to better harness renewable energy sources while reducing U.S. reliance on imported oil. I have been an advocate for an ‘all-of-the-above’ approach for some time now, and I think there’s a lot of potential in developing our offshore energy opportunities off the Virginia coast.”
For more information on the Dominion Virginia Power project, click here.
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Washington, DC – Concerned about steep increases in commodity prices, Senators Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) joined a bipartisan letter this week to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in support of a temporary waiver of the federal ethanol mandate. This waiver is intended to help Virginia’s agricultural community and consumers who have been hit hard by a dramatic rise in feed costs as a result of increased usage of corn-based ethanol.
The EPA has waiver authority to adjust the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), which requires that transportation fuel sold in the United States contains a minimum volume of renewable fuel, in the event of inadequate supplies or to prevent economic harm.
“While we believe the RFS will stimulate advanced biofuels to commercialization, adjusting the corn grain-ethanol mandate of the RFS can offer some relief from tight corn supplies and high prices,” the senators wrote. “As stressful weather conditions continue to push corn yields lower and prices upward, the economic ramifications for consumers, livestock and poultry producers, food manufacturers, and foodservice providers will become more severe.”
In addition to the EPA letter, Senator Webb has worked to reduce rising energy prices for Virginia farmers and consumers. These initiatives include efforts to curb oil speculation that has artificially driven up the cost of gas and to lower the tariff on imported ethanol to help meet the ethanol-fuel mandate. Senators Webb and Warner have also consistently called for exploration of additional natural energy resources off the coast of Virginia.
Washington, DC – U.S. Sens. Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today cosponsored the introduction of The Offshore Petroleum Expansion Now Act of 2012, or the OPEN Act. The bipartisan legislation would expand American offshore energy production with a revised five-year leasing plan and provide revenue sharing to all participating coastal states. The bill provides an alternative to the Administration’s proposed 2012-2017 offshore oil and gas leasing plan, which excludes Virginia.
“I have long advocated opening up more of the nation’s outer continental shelf resources to responsible natural gas and oil exploration,” said Senator Jim Webb. “Energy exploration and subsequent production within the Virginia Outer Continental Shelf — if coupled with environmental protections and an equitable formula for sharing revenues between the state and federal governments — would boost domestic energy supplies, while benefiting the Commonwealth’s economy.”
“Our economy and national security will be strengthened by an ‘all-of-the-above’ approach to energy, including the expanded production of our own domestic energy resources,” said Senator Mark Warner. “I believe that Virginians should benefit from any energy resources that are developed off of our coast, and this legislation requires the federal government to make reasonable royalty payments to the Commonwealth.”
Senator Webb and Senator Warner have repeatedly urged the Obama Administration to keep Virginia's Outer Continental lease sale on schedule. In January, they wrote a joint letter to the Administration calling for the Interior Secretary to include Virginia in its offshore energy plan. In July 2011, the senators introduced the Virginia Outer Continental Shelf Energy Production Act of 2011, which included revenue-sharing provisions and would expand the federal government’s map of the mid-Atlantic exploration area to more accurately reflect the extent of Virginia’s coastal resources. In 2008, Senator Webb cosponsored similar legislation with Republican Senator John Warner.
The OPEN Act provides revenue sharing (37.5 percent) to any state with energy production off its coast. The revenue sharing language is technology neutral, covering all forms of energy production, including offshore wind energy.
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WASHINGTON —U.S. Senators Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today again urged the Obama Administration, in a letter to the Secretary of the Interior, to include areas off the coast of Virginia in the Department's upcoming leasing plan. The letter also called on the Department to revise the map of the mid-Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) to more accurately reflect Virginia’s energy resources.
“In this time of economic challenges, developing offshore resources could provide revenue to the U.S. treasury as well as a future source of funding for important state priorities such as transportation, land and water conservation and alternative energy development,” the senators wrote. “We look forward to working with you to ensure that Virginia’s OCS energy resources are developed in a timely fashion, through a fair distribution of revenues between the federal and state government, and in an environmentally sound manner.”
Senator Webb and Senator Warner have repeatedly urged the Obama Administration to keep Virginia's Outer Continental lease sale on schedule. In July 2011, the senators introduced the Virginia Outer Continental Shelf Energy Production Act of 2011, which included revenue-sharing provisions and would expand the federal government’s map of the mid-Atlantic exploration area to more accurately reflect the extent of Virginia’s coastal resources. In 2008, Senator Webb cosponsored similar legislation with Republican Senator John Warner.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement regarding the five-year oil and gas leasing plan announced by the U.S. Department of the Interior today, which does not include Virginia.
“This is disappointing, because the safe, responsible development of offshore energy resources has broad support from Virginians and among the bipartisan elected leadership of the state.
“I will be strongly urging the Administration to take another look at including Virginia in its five-year plan. Senator Webb and I will continue to pursue our legislation that updates the current map of the Outer Continental Shelf to better reflect Virginia’s share of offshore energy resources. Importantly, our legislation also would allow for revenue sharing between the state and federal governments.
“While offshore energy production will not solve all of our nation’s energy challenges, it certainly needs to be part of a portfolio approach that includes energy conservation and the further development of clean, renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and biofuels.”
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today introduced legislation that would allow oil and natural gas exploration and production off of the Virginia coast. Both senators have consistently supported safe and responsible energy exploration on Virginia’s outer continental shelf.
The Virginia Outer Continental Shelf Energy Production Act of 2011 would also expand the federal government’s map of the mid-Atlantic exploration area to more accurately reflect the extent of Virginia’s coastal resources.
Improving upon House-backed legislation, the bill directs half of any leasing revenues to be paid to Virginia to support a range of projects including land and water conservation efforts, development of clean energy resources, transportation and other infrastructure improvement projects across the Commonwealth
“This legislation builds on an earlier proposal that I introduced with Senator John Warner in 2008,” said Senator Webb. “We must pursue robust policies that include the expansion of our domestic energy resources in a safe and secure manner even as we develop conservation, renewable and efficient energy measures. Opening up and expanding Virginia’s offshore resources to responsible natural gas and oil exploration holds significant promise for boosting needed domestic energy production, while bolstering the Commonwealth’s economy.”
The U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts that the United States will import almost 10 million barrels a day of crude oil and refined petroleum products in 2011, which is about half of all U.S. fuel consumption. America's dependence on foreign oil is driving U.S. trade deficits: in 2010, the U.S. imported $252 billion in petroleum-related products, compared to $188 billion in 2009. The number of barrels was about the same, but oil prices jumped from $57 to about $75 per barrel. Yesterday, oil was trading at $97 a barrel.
“Our economy and national security will be strengthened by an ‘all-of-the-above’ approach to energy, including the expanded production of our own domestic energy resources. We should not be sending hundreds of billions of dollars each year to oil-producing countries that do not like us, ” Senator Warner said. “This legislation jumpstarts a multi-year process that will include responsible environmental reviews, close consultations with NASA and our military partners in Hampton Roads, and this process will include multiple public hearings. Senator Webb and I firmly believe that Virginians should benefit from any energy resources that are developed off of our coast, and our legislation specifically requires the federal government to make reasonable royalty payments to the Commonwealth.”
In 2008, Senator Webb cosponsored similar legislation with then-Senator John Warner (R-VA) to allow the Commonwealth to conduct energy exploration activities in the outer continental shelf with revenue-sharing provisions. In January 2010, Senators Webb and Mark Warner sent a letter to U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar insisting that Virginia's Lease Sale 220 remain on schedule.
Specifically, the Virginia Outer Continental Shelf Energy Production Act of 2011 would:
A copy of the legislation can be found below:
Sen. Warner’s comment on today’s symbolic 40-59 cloture vote to strike ethanol subsidies. Sixty votes were required to invoke cloture and limit debate.
“I think we should end the subsidy for corn-based ethanol, but I could not support the way in which Senator Coburn’s amendment was brought to the floor for a vote. The Senate will have another opportunity to vote on this issue next week in a process that follows long-established procedures of the Senate, and I will vote to phase-out the ethanol subsidy.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA) announced today that he is the chief sponsor, along with Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME), of bipartisan Senate legislation that will provide targeted incentives for homeowners who make energy efficiency investments in their homes. The Senate bill, which was introduced yesterday, is similar to legislation pending in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The HOMESTAR Energy Retrofit Act of 2010 will provide up to $6 billion in time-limited incentives to American homeowners, combined with private-sector investment, to retrofit an estimated three million homes over two years. Economists and industry experts estimate it also will create or maintain more than 150,000 U.S. manufacturing and construction jobs.
A summary of the Senate legislation can be found here, and the bill can be viewed here.
“HOMESTAR can create tens of thousands of ‘green’ jobs while also achieving substantial reductions in our nation’s overall energy use,” Senator Warner said. “Consumers participating in the program could save an estimated $200 to $500 per year on their residential energy bills even as they’re taking steps to increase the overall value of their homes,” Senator Warner said. “With unemployment in the construction industry near 25% and with substantial underutilized capacity in our nation’s manufacturing industries, we have a large pool of skilled workers and certified contractors who are anxious to get back to work,” Senator Warner added.
Key components of the HOMESTAR Program, which has the support of the White House and leading business and industry organizations nationwide, include:
Rebates delivered directly to consumers: Consumers would be eligible for direct HOMESTAR rebates at the point-of-sale for a variety of energy-saving investments in their homes. A broad array of vendors, from small independent building material dealers, large national home improvement chains, energy efficiency installation professionals and utility energy efficiency programs (including rural utilities) would market the rebates, provide them directly to consumers and then be reimbursed by the federal government.
Oversight to ensure quality installations: The HOMESTAR program would require that contractors be certified to perform efficiency installations. Independent quality assurance providers would conduct field audits within 30 days after work is completed to ensure proper installation so consumers receive energy savings from their upgrades. States would oversee the implementation of quality assurance to ensure that the program is moving the industry toward more robust standards and comprehensive energy retrofit practices.
Support for financing: The HOMESTAR program would include support to state and local governments to provide financing options for consumers seeking to make efficiency investments in their homes. This will help ensure that consumers can afford to make these investments.
“HOMESTAR is a comprehensive and compelling proposal to address one of the most important opportunities we have to boost private sector employment and demand for durable goods while cutting both consumer energy costs and greenhouse gases," said Senator Bingaman, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. "As Congress considers additional ways to shore up our economic recovery and to accelerate new hiring, I hope this bill’s broad impact and support help it become law.”
“Energy efficiency has been identified as the most cost effective method to reduce our dependency on foreign oil, cut carbon emissions, and save money for consumers on their energy bills," Senator Snowe said. "HOMESTAR catalyzes energy efficiency into action and includes long-term tax incentives to make their homes state of the art. With Mainers spending the most per capita on residential energy expenditures and living in the least efficient housing stock in the country, I am encouraged that this proposal will spur an industry that will be dedicated to improving America’s energy security. I appreciate the leadership of Senators Bingaman, Warner, and Graham and look forward to working with them to enact this proposal into law.”
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Jim Webb today announced that the Shenandoah Valley Workforce Investment Board (SVWIB) has received a $5 million investment from the economic stimulus package to fund a new program to train workers for jobs in the region’s emerging “green” technology manufacturing and renewable energy industries. The funding, awarded through the U.S. Department of Labor, will provide workforce training opportunities for an estimated 1,000 Virginians across 10 counties and six cities in the Shenandoah Valley.
“The formation of the Shenandoah Valley Energy Partnership is exactly the kind of forward-looking collaboration we need to help jump-start our economy and create next-generation jobs in the clean energy field,” said Senator Warner. “This investment in training workers for new green energy represents an exciting opportunity for the entire Valley region.”
“One of the largest barriers to economic growth in many communities is the shortage of a skilled workforce, and I am pleased the Shenandoah Valley will benefit from this investment,” said Senator Webb. “Proper job training and workforce development will create jobs and enable Virginia to take advantage of the growing technology and renewable energy economies.”
“This is wonderful news for the Shenandoah Valley where we are currently enduring our highest unemployment rates in decades,” said Bob Satterwhite, director of the SVWIB. “Training made possible by this grant will prepare our area's workers for jobs in energy efficiency and renewable energy industries, including occupations that have long?term demand and offer the potential for high wage, career pathway jobs. We anticipate working with approximately 450 employers, as well as community members and schools in this effort, and believe the whole Valley region will benefit substantially.”
The program’s partners will include SVWIB’s five one-stop training centers and the region’s three vocational technical centers, Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, Lord Fairfax Community College, Blue Ridge Community College, James Madison University and the Virginia Manufacturer’s Association, among others.
The grant was one of 55 awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor today for projects that will enhance job training programs and employment services in health care and other high-growth and emerging industries across the United States.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senators Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) today called on the Secretary of the Interior to promptly commence steps to ensure that the Virginia Lease Sale, for the development of oil and gas resources off the coast of Virginia, remains on track for 2011.
“Support among Virginia’s political leadership for the development of oil and gas resources is strong,” wrote Senators Webb and Warner. “If accomplished with a fair and equitable formula for sharing of revenues between the federal and state government, Lease Sale 220 will attract well-paying jobs to the Commonwealth to support a range of projects, from the transportation sector to coastal restoration. Further, it holds significant promise for boosting needed domestic energy production.”
In June 2008, Senator Webb cosponsored legislation with then-Senator John Warner to allow the Commonwealth to conduct energy exploration activities in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), with revenue-sharing provisions. “We believe the time has come for implementing the intent of the legislation by going forward with Lease Sale 220 in a more expedited manner,” wrote Senators Webb and Mark Warner today in their letter to Secretary Salazar.
The full letter to Secretary of the Interior Salazar follows.
January 27, 2010
The Honorable Kenneth Salazar
Secretary of the Department of Interior
1849 C Street, N.W.
Mail Stop 7229
Washington, D.C. 20240
Dear Mr. Secretary:
We are writing to state our support for the development of oil and gas resources off the coast of Virginia, specifically for the Minerals Management Service’s (MMS) Lease Sale 220, scheduled for 2011. In the 110th Congress, then-Senator John Warner and Senator Webb jointly sponsored legislation (S.3147) to allow the Commonwealth of Virginia to conduct energy exploration activities in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), with revenue-sharing provisions, a view that we share today.
Support among Virginia's political leadership for the development of oil and gas resources is strong. Virginia's governor, Robert F. McDonnell, as well as members of the General Assembly from both parties, recognize the potential benefits to the Commonwealth and to our nation. Therefore it is understandable that recent media reports highlighting additional delays are a source of frustration to Virginia and to a nation that is looking to turn around the economy while simultaneously addressing energy security.
In October 2008, months after S. 3147 was introduced, the 26-year federal moratorium on OCS oil and gas exploration expired. We believe the time has come for implementing the intent of this legislation by going forward with Lease Sale 220 in a more expedited manner. We understand that additional steps must be completed for this sale to occur, including the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Sale 220, and potentially a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement that would allow seismic surveys of the Atlantic OCS by private entities. But we would urge you to promptly commence these steps in order to ensure that the Virginia Lease Sale is conducted in a manner that is timely and consistent with the interests of the environment and our national security.
If accomplished with a fair and equitable formula for sharing of revenues between the federal and state government, Lease Sale 220 will attract well-paying jobs to the Commonwealth to support a range of projects, from the transportation sector to coastal restoration. Further, it holds significant promise for boosting needed domestic energy production. The MMS estimates that the Sale 220 area could contain 1.14 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 130 million barrels of oil.
Over the next 20 years, U.S. demand for energy is expected to grow at an annual rate of 1.4 percent. Lease Sale 220 would be part of a comprehensive approach to meeting our critical energy challenges. The offering of 2.9 million acres 50 miles off the coast of Virginia would significantly improve Virginia’s and America’s energy security, as well as assist in meeting growing energy demands. Improved technology that allows for minimally invasive drilling techniques many miles off shore and out of sight from Virginia's coastline can provide oil and natural gas in an environmentally sustainable manner.
We look forward to working with you to ensure that this resource is developed in a timely fashion, through a fair distribution of revenues between the federal and state government, and in an environmentally sound manner.
Sincerely,
Jim Webb & Mark R. Warner
United States Senators from Virginia
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) today announced that the Department of Energy released nearly $15.7 million to Rappahannock Electric Cooperative in Fredericksburg for upgrades and improvements to spur Virginia’s transition to a smarter, stronger, more efficient and reliable electric system. The funds were made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The funding for Fredericksburg is part of a $3.4 billion clean-energy initiative aimed at creating markets for wind and solar power. The 100 projects selected will be matched by industry funding for a total public-private investment worth over $8 billion.
“Today’s $15.7 million investment in Fredericksburg’s energy infrastructure will make the system more dependable during peak hours, help lower resident’s energy costs, and create new jobs in an emerging alternative energy industry,” said Senator Webb. “This funding is also an important step forward in modernizing Virginia’s energy grid.”
“Upgrading to ‘smart grid’ technology will help create jobs and other opportunities at the local level, and increase the efficiency, reliability and security of our entire energy transmission system,” Senator Warner said.
To improve overall system reliability, the funds will assist in implementing digital improvements and upgrades to communication infrastructure, advanced meters, cyber security equipment, and digital automation. In addition to the Fredericksburg grant, the Department of Energy provided $5 million for improved fiber optic and microwave infrastructure in Manassas, Virginia.
An analysis by the Electric Power Research Institute estimates that the implementation of smart grid technologies could reduce electricity use by more than 4 percent by 2030. That would mean a savings of $20.4 billion for businesses and consumers around the country, and $1.6 billion for Florida alone -- or $56 in utility savings for every man, woman and child in Florida.
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Washington, DC - Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner, and Congressmen Bobby Scott and Glenn Nye today announced the inclusion of $100,000 in the Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations bill to initiate the eastward expansion of Craney Island. Thursday’s inclusion of funds moves the project from the “planning” to “construction” phase, making it eligible for future federal funds.
The funding was originally included in the House appropriations bill by Congressmen Nye and Scott. To ensure that the funding was included in the final Energy and Water Appropriations Conference Report, Senators Webb and Warner sent a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations and Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, citing, “the national significance of the Craney Island expansion project,” and noted that the, “completion of the Craney Island expansion project has clear benefits to the nation, facilitating more efficient transport of goods, and assisting in the mobilization of defense assets should a national emergency arise.”
“The expansion of Craney Island is critical to both the region’s economic growth and national defense,” said Senator Webb. “Today’s funding announcement opens the door to continued federal investment to keep this project on track while also creating jobs in the Norfolk area.”
“The Craney Island expansion is an ambitious and critically important infrastructure project not only for Hampton Roads and Virginia, but for the nation,” Senator Warner said. “I am pleased we have been able to turn-on the spigot to federal support for what will be a multi-year effort.”
“The Port of Virginia’s Craney Island is the only major East Coast port facility with the ability to increase its size at will, meaning that this project will provide endless business investment opportunities for the Hampton Roads economy that will create jobs,” said Congressman Nye.
The Port of Virginia is a gateway for international commerce and is one of thirteen U.S. strategic ports that support the mobilization and readiness of our national defense. The construction of the Craney Island Eastward Expansion project will allow the Virginia Port Authority to nearly double its marine terminal capacity and meet the anticipated demand in shipped goods to and from international ports.
This project will allow Virginia to provide the necessary infrastructure that connects into the broad and expansive nationwide rail network to accommodate for the influx in international trade. The Heartland Rail Corridor, which will connect the ports of Hampton Roads with the Midwest, is anticipated to come online in 2010. Additionally, with the expansion of the Panama Canal, scheduled to open in 2014, it is important that this project continues to move forward to meet the projected increasing demands in international trade.
Webb, Warner, Scott and Nye have stressed the importance of the Craney Island Eastward Expansion project remaining on schedule to open in 2017.
“This is pivotal because inclusion in the budget clears the way for federal money to begin flowing to the project,” J.J. Keever, the Virginia Port Authority’s senior deputy director said. “This project was authorized in November 2007 and less than two years after that we’re able to secure funding; that is incredible.
“It says a lot about the effort and commitment to this project put forth by Jim Webb, Mark Warner, Bobby Scott, and Glenn Nye. A lot of credit and thanks are owned to those people because they were the ones who imparted the importance of Craney Island on their colleagues.”
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