| Natural gas is used in 60 million homes across the | | | | reasonable energy prices and the nation with a diverse |
| country, and how some Americans plan to develop | | | | energy portfolio, offshore energy development, |
| their energy supplies can greatly affect homes and | | | | particularly in Virginia, must be included," said Ward. |
| businesses all across the country. | | | | Developing the nation's domestic oil and natural gas |
| As the country's demand for energy continues to | | | | resources has a number of benefits. Offshore energy |
| grow, the nation's leaders must determine a viable | | | | development will let the U.S. better use its own natural |
| strategy to secure America's energy future. Many | | | | resources to help maintain reliable energy supplies and |
| proponents of increased domestic energy | | | | stable energy prices, benefiting consumers and |
| development believe the United States is losing the | | | | businesses alike. The Department of Energy's Energy |
| global energy race and will continue to fall behind | | | | Information Administration forecasts natural gas |
| unless the nation begins utilizing more of its domestic oil | | | | demand to grow by almost 40 percent by 2025. "We |
| and natural gas resources. | | | | can't look at those numbers and not think about the |
| Some advocates say increasing the production of | | | | future and what we're going to do when we get |
| domestic oil and natural gas, namely the large amounts | | | | there," said Ward. "Leaving domestic energy |
| of undeveloped energy resources off Virginia's | | | | development out of the equation is against the nation's |
| coastlines and along the outer continental shelf, is a | | | | best interest." |
| good start to securing America's energy future and | | | | Best Climate For Business |
| should be included in any final energy legislation. | | | | Virginia has been recognized by Forbes magazine as |
| Restrictions Discourage Supply | | | | having the best climate for business in the U.S. for |
| Supporters of offshore domestic energy development | | | | economic growth, business costs/incentives and quality |
| are working to improve government policies that | | | | of life. Adding offshore oil and natural gas development |
| currently restrict exploration and development of | | | | and production would further position it as a |
| untapped energy resources off the nation's East and | | | | business-friendly state and increase its prosperity and |
| West Coasts and parts of the Gulf of Mexico. Mike | | | | prestige. |
| Ward, executive director of the Virginia Petroleum | | | | There is no silver bullet to solving the nation's energy |
| Council, believes that these policies push the nation | | | | woes; however, enhancing the development of |
| backward; encouraging demand while discouraging | | | | domestic oil and natural gas resources is a solution that |
| supply. "In order to provide American consumers with | | | | should be included in any comprehensive energy policy. |