SB814: Offshore energy resources; State to support oil and natural gas exploration, etc., exception.
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.