Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement regarding the five-year oil and gas leasing plan announced by the U.S. Department of the Interior today, which does not include Virginia.

“This is disappointing, because the safe, responsible development of offshore energy resources has broad support from Virginians and among the bipartisan elected leadership of the state. 

“I will be strongly urging the Administration to take another look at including Virginia in its five-year plan. Senator Webb and I will continue to pursue our legislation that updates the current map of the Outer Continental Shelf to better reflect Virginia’s share of offshore energy resources. Importantly, our legislation also would allow for revenue sharing between the state and federal governments.

“While offshore energy production will not solve all of our nation’s energy challenges, it certainly needs to be part of a portfolio approach that includes energy conservation and the further development of clean, renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and biofuels.”