Press Releases

Congressman Don Beyer welcomed today’s announcement from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell to protect Atlantic states, including Virginia, from offshore drilling.

“One of the first things I did in Congress was join my fellow Virginia Congressmen Gerry Connolly and Bobby Scott in urging Secretary Jewel to block offshore drilling in Virginia,” said Rep. Don Beyer. “I am so glad that the Administration listened to our concerns and recognized the significant threat drilling poses to our coastline. This is a victory for Virginians, for our coastal economy, and a crucial step forward to reducing America’s carbon footprint.”

Reps. Beyer, Connolly, and Scott wrote Secretary Jewell in February of 2015 outlining the dangers from further drilling off the Virginia coast.  The long-term environmental consequences of drilling dwarf any economic gains from the offshore rigs. Additionally, such drilling activity would significantly disrupt NASA and U.S. Naval operations in the area.

The outdoor economy in Virginia’s coastal communities is heavily dependent on tourism, fishing, outdoor recreation, and other industries compromised by the dangerous growth of offshore drilling in the Atlantic.