Virginia will be first in line to take advantage of the Obama administration’s decision to open up large swaths of the Eastern seaboard to oil and natural gas drilling, clearing the way for energy exploration 50 miles off the state’s coastline.

Gov. Bob McDonnell and other Virginia officials hailed the announcement Wednesday, while environmental groups reaffirmed their concerns about leasing the nearly 3 million-acre stretch of ocean that has long been closed to oil platforms.

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