Press Releases
“Developing our offshore energy resources will help create domestic manufacturing jobs and strengthen Virginia’s economy. It also advances efforts to better harness renewable energy sources while reducing U.S. reliance on imported oil. I have been an advocate for an ‘all-of-the-above’ approach for some time now, and I think there’s a lot of potential in developing our offshore energy opportunities off the Virginia coast.”
Concerned about steep increases in commodity prices, Senators Warner and Jim Webb (D-VA) joined a bipartisan letter this week to the Environmental Protection Agency in support of a temporary waiver of the federal ethanol mandate.
Webb, Warner Cosponsor New Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Offshore Leasing
Companion Legislation to House Bill, Reopens Promising Areas, Shares Revenue with Producing States
Jul 25 2012
Sens. Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today cosponsored the introduction of The Offshore Petroleum Expansion Now Act of 2012, or the OPEN Act. The bipartisan legislation would expand American offshore energy production with a revised five-year leasing plan and provide revenue sharing to all participating coastal states.
Webb, Warner Repeat Call For Interior Secretary to Include Virginia in Offshore Energy Plan
Jan 27 2012
Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner today again urged the Obama Administration, in a letter to the Secretary of the Interior, to include areas off the coast of Virginia in the Department's upcoming leasing plan. The letter also called on the Department to revise the map of the mid-Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf to more accurately reflect Virginia’s energy resources.
Senator Warner 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. "
Webb, Warner introduce legislation to open VA to offshore energy exploration
~ Bill would expand exploration area, provide royalties to Va. ~
Jul 06 2011
U.S. Senators Webb and Warner today introduced legislation that would allow oil and natural gas exploration and production off of the Virginia coast. Both senators have consistently supported safe and responsible energy exploration on Virginia’s outer continental shelf.
I think we should end the subsidy for corn-based ethanol, but I could not support the way in which Senator Coburn’s amendment was brought to the floor for a vote. The Senate will have another opportunity to vote on this issue next week in a process that follows long-established procedures of the Senate, and I will vote to phase-out the ethanol subsidy.
Sens. Warner, Bingaman, Graham, and Snowe Co-sponsor Bipartisan HOMESTAR Energy Legislation
~ Consumer savings and job creation through residential energy retrofits ~
May 28 2010
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA) announced today that he is the chief sponsor, along with Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME), of bipartisan Senate legislation that will provide targeted incentives for homeowners who make energy efficiency investments in their homes. The Senate bill, which was introduced yesterday, is similar to legislation pending in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Warner, Webb Announce $5M for Valley Green Jobs Program
~ New Workforce Training Program to focus on jobs in green energy sector ~
Feb 16 2010
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Jim Webb today announced that the Shenandoah Valley Workforce Investment Board (SVWIB) has received a $5 million investment from the economic stimulus package to fund a new program to train workers for jobs in the region’s emerging “green” technology manufacturing and renewable energy industries. The funding, awarded through the U.S. Department of Labor, will provide workforce training opportunities for an estimated 1,000 Virginians across 10 counties and six cities in the Shenandoah Valley.
Warner, Webb Urge Interior to Expedite Development of Offshore Oil & Gas Resources
~Say Revenue-Sharing Formula will Attract Jobs to Virginia, Boost Domestic Energy Production~
Jan 27 2010
Senators Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) today called on the Secretary of the Interior to promptly commence steps to ensure that the Virginia Lease Sale, for the development of oil and gas resources off the coast of Virginia, remains on track for 2011.
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) today announced that the Department of Energy released nearly $15.7 million to Rappahannock Electric Cooperative in Fredericksburg for upgrades and improvements to spur Virginia’s transition to a smarter, stronger, more efficient and reliable electric system. The funds were made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Webb, Warner, Scott, Nye Secure Funding to Initiate the Eastward Expansion of Norfolk's Craney Island
Inclusion of federal funds moves project into “construction” phase, making it eligible for future federal funds
Oct 01 2009
Washington, DC - Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner, and Congressmen Bobby Scott and Glenn Nye today announced the inclusion of $100,000 in the Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations bill to initiate the eastward expansion of Craney Island. Thursday’s inclusion of funds moves the project from the “planning” to “construction” phase, making it eligible for future federal funds.
Washington, DC – Senators Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner today announced that more than $26.4 million in funding was secured for a number of water projects in Hampton Roads. The funds were included in the FY2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, passed in the Senate on Wednesday night, which provides funding for the Department of Energy, Army Corps of Engineers, Department of the Interior, and economic development projects.
Warner, Webb Secure $270K for Water Projects in NoVA
~Projects to Restore Waterways, Wildlife Habitats
Jul 31 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner today announced that $270,000 in funding was secured for two water projects in the Northern Virginia area. The funds were included in the FY2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, passed in the Senate on Wednesday night, which provides funding for the Department of Energy, Army Corps of Engineers, Department of the Interior, and economic development projects.
Warner, Webb Secure $80.2M for Water Projects, Economic Development in Southwest VA
~Funding for Flood Control, Public Safety, Appalachian Regional Commission
Jul 31 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner today announced that $80.2 million in funding was secured for the Appalachian Regional Commission and three water projects in Southwest Virginia. The funds were included in the FY2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, passed in the Senate on Wednesday night, which provides funding for the Department of Energy, Army Corps of Engineers, Department of the Interior, and economic development projects.
Warner, Webb Secure Over $1M for Energy & Water Projects in Shenandoah Valley
~Projects to Improve Energy Efficiency, Repair Waterways~
Jul 31 2009
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner today announced that more than $1 million in funding was secured for two water and energy projects in the Shenandoah Valley. The funds were included in the FY2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, passed in the Senate on Wednesday night, which provides funding for the Department of Energy, Army Corps of Engineers, Department of the Interior, and economic development projects.