McDonnell bullish on McConnell energy plan

While Virginia likely doesn’t stand to see any short-term benefit from President Obama’s plan to increase domestic oil production, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell is bullish on a measure being introduced by Senate Republicans that would direct the Interior Department to conduct previously scheduled lease sales, including one off the coast of Virginia.

The bill would also extend lease terms by one year for Gulf leases that were suspended under the 2010 moratorium instituted by Obama in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, require lessees to develop spill responses and containment plans, and puts time limits on the review of drilling permits.