2008 VA Senate Debate between Jim Gilmore and Mark Warner: on Energy & Oil

Jim Gilmore: Favors drilling ANWR and also drilling offshore

Mark Warner: Opposes drilling ANWR; but OK to drill offshore

Jim Gilmore: US should seek alternative fuels but still drill for oil

The difference between Mark Warner and myself rests with the part of the energy plan that will help people immediately. And that means we have to have more domestic oil production and free ourselves from the people overseas. We have to be prepared to drill in ANWR. We have to be prepared to drill offshore. And oil prices will go down if the United States has a decisive energy policy.

Jim Gilmore: US greatest energy resource is coal

WARNER: My position is that Congress should lift the moratorium on offshore drilling and leave that decision to the states. But drilling alone isn’t going to solve the whole problem. Investing in alternative energy is going to provide more immediate relief.

GILMORE: We need a long term comprehensive, long term plan that deals with conservation, which Mark and I agree on. But the typical Washington politician, like Harry Reed, who would be [Warner’s] leader in the Senate, have said that coal poisons all of us. And yet the US’ greatest resource in competition with the rest of the world is coal.

Jim Gilmore: Warner promised no offshore drilling, and now supports it

REALITY: Governor Warner’s veto message on the 2005 offshore drilling ban called on the state to monitor “federal developments on domestic energy production,” as part of a larger state study. Warner vetoed the bill because it encroached on the role of the Governor to direct the activities of the Virginia Liaison Office and directed the Commonwealth to advocate for federal legislation that has yet to be introduced. [Warner Veto Message, 3/29/05]

In January 2006, a study prepared for Governor Warner and state legislators “recommended that Virginia allow offshore exploration for natural gas and oil deposits but take precautions to protect the environment.” The study “suggested that drilling take place at least 50 miles from the coast and that no pipelines or other equipment be placed ashore.” [Washington Post, 4/6/06]

Mark Warner: Offshore drilling is acceptable but not the “silver bullet”

WARNER: My position is that Congress should lift the moratorium on offshore drilling and leave that decision to the states. I don’t believe we should be drilling in ANWR. Because Congress set it aside as a pristine area and similar to Senator McCain’s position, I see the dangers. But where I disagree with Jim is that this is somehow the silver bullet. America has 3% of the world’s oil and we use 25% of the world’s oil. Drilling alone isn’t going to solve the whole problem. Investing in alternative energy is going to provide more immediate relief.

Mark Warner: Vetoed offshore drilling ban until more laws & facts known

REALITY: Governor Warner’s veto message on the 2005 offshore drilling ban called on the state to monitor “federal developments on domestic energy production,” as part of a larger state study. Warner vetoed the bill because it encroached on the role of the Governor to direct the activities of the Virginia Liaison Office and directed the Commonwealth to advocate for federal legislation that has yet to be introduced. [Warner Veto Message, 3/29/05]

In January 2006, a study prepared for Governor Warner and state legislators “recommended that Virginia allow offshore exploration for natural gas and oil deposits but take precautions to protect the environment.” The study “suggested that drilling take place at least 50 miles from the coast and that no pipelines or other equipment be placed ashore.” [Washington Post, 4/6/06]