U.S. Sens. Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner, both Democrats, are co-sponsoring legislation that would open energy production off the coast of Virginia. The Offshore Petroleum Expansion Now Act of 2012, or OPEN Act, would replace the current five-year leasing plan, which excludes Virginia, and provide revenue sharing to all participating coastal states.

Senator Warner joined a bipartisan group of senators this week to introduce legislation that will provide targeted incentives for homeowners who make energy efficiency investments in their homes.

Statement from Communications Director Kevin Hall on the announcement today that the U.S. Department of the Interior is temporarily postponing public meetings on potential offshore activities in the mid-Atlantic so that information from the ongoing review of OCS safety issues can be appropriately considered in those meetings.

Senator Warner said today that he believes it was appropriate for the President to delay any new offshore oil projects until safeguards are in place to prevent rig explosions like the one that caused the Gulf spill.

The Petersburg Progress-Index covers Senator Warner's visit to a project that is converting algae into biofuel at the Hopewell Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility.

Senator Warner was back out on the road Friday, with stops in Hopewell, Petersburg, and Richmond.

President Obama announced today that the U.S. Department of the Interior has approved moving forward on a plan to allow oil and gas exploration and production 50 miles off Virginia's coast following a one-year environmental and national security review.

Senator Warner promoted the HOME STAR energy conservation initiative today before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The Senator has been a leading architect of the initiative in the Senate.