WASHINGTON –  Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) applauded President Biden’s decision to ban new offshore oil and gas drilling off the coast of Virginia:

“We welcome President Biden’s action to protect Virginia’s vibrant coastal communities. We’ve heard from Virginians in Hampton Roads and on the Eastern Shore who have expressed concerns about the risks of offshore drilling on their communities. This action is critical to protecting Virginia’s coastal waters from pollution and potential oil spills and supporting the region’s economy, which relies heavily on commercial and recreational fishing, aquaculture, tourism, and the Port of Virginia. We’ll continue to advocate for Virginia’s coastal communities to ensure they continue to thrive.”

Nearly forty percent of Americans live in coastal counties, and nearly 400 municipalities and over 2,300 elected officials have opposed the expansion of offshore drilling. Virginia banned offshore drilling in state waters in 2020, but it does not have jurisdiction over federal waters.

The senators previously called for an offshore drilling ban along Virginia’s coastline in September 2020 after the Trump Administration banned offshore drilling off the coasts of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. In January 2018, when the Trump Administration was considering a new proposal on offshore drilling, the senators sent a letter to the Department of the Interior asking the department to add public meetings in Virginia Beach and on the Eastern Shore to give local residents the opportunity to share their views.

###