Posted on 06/25/2008 7:21:14 AM PDT by Gopher Broke
Va, Senate Democrats Reject New Energy Bill June 24, 2008
Richmond, VA: Virginia State Senator Frank Wagner (R - Virginia Beach) saw Senate Democrats scuttle his effort to dedicate potential royalties to transportation and environmental protection programs from any off-shore exploration and drilling of natural gas 50 miles or more off the Virginia coastline.
On a straight, party line vote, Democrats voted to "pass by for the day" effectively killing Wagner's measure for this Special Session. Sixteen other Republican senators had already signed on as co-patrons of Wagner's bill. Senator Ken T. Cuccinelli, II (R - Fairfax) had introduced a similar bill which was incorporated into Wagner's.
Wagner's legislation would have established the Offshore Energy Revenue Fund. Proceeds would have been distributed
40% to the Transportation Trust Fund
40% for Chesapeake Bay cleanup efforts
10% to the Renewable Electricity Production Grant Fund
10% to the Virginia Costal Energy Research Consortium.
Official federal government estimates have the expected royalties accruing to Virginia amounting to $200 million per year for 40 to 50 years.
"These senators voted for this very same policy two years ago. Apparently the Pelosi - Obama mindset has taken over Virginia Democrats in this election year. Why else would they walk away from this energy and revenue source while at the same time asking Virginian families to pay millions more in taxes and fees for transportation," asked Wagner after this morning's committee vote.
The federal moratorium will be lifted if Congress decides not to reenact it this year and President Bush has vowed to lift the presidential moratorium as well.
Voting against the energy and transportation funding bill were Senators
Patricia S. Ticer - Alexandria
Mary Margaret Whipple - Arlington
W. Roscoe Reynolds - Henry
Phillip P. Puckett - Russell
R. Creigh Deeds - Bath
A. Donald McEachin - Henrico
J. Chapman Petersen - Fairfax
Ralph S. Northam - Norfolk
Contact: Scott Leake (804) 467-5347
I have no sympathy for them.
They can watch TV by candlelight.
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