Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell blasted the Obama administration’s announcement Wednesday to halt offshore oil and gas exploration along the Atlantic Coast, including off of Virginia’s shoreline.
“This is an irresponsible and short-sighted decision,” McDonnell said in a statement. “It demonstrates a complete lack of confidence in the entrepreneurial spirit of American industry and its ability to fix the problems experienced in the Gulf spill, and no confidence in the ability of the U.S. government to better plan for and react to offshore emergencies. I personally relayed this message to Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar during our phone conversation shortly before the announcement was made today.”
The issue has been front and central for McDonnell and his energy plan for Virginia; he reacted much more positively when the president announced plans in March to pave the way for offshore drilling and oil and gas exploration off the coast of Virginia.
Meanwhile, the Southern Environmental Law Center welcomed the news.
“The BP disaster brings into sharp focus just how risky offshore drilling is and the ecological and economic tragedies that await,” said the law center’s senior attorney, Deborah Murray.
