Mark Warner on Energy & Oil

	Mark Warner on Energy & Oil Democratic Jr Senator; previously Governor

All-of-the-above approach, including pro-coal

Warner asked Ed Gillespie about his views on global warming, and whether he sided with a majority of Republicans in Congress who remain skeptical of the science:" I'd love to take my opponent to Norfolk where seas are rising so much that the Navy is spending tens of millions a year just to raise the barriers."

Gillespie dodged Warner's question at first, but when pressed again on his climate change beliefs, Gillespie said he thinks there is evidence to support it. Gillespie added, "Norfolk is dealing with rising sea levels but people can debate what contributes to that or not." Still, Gillespie said he thinks the administration's new carbon pollution rules "go too far."

Warner wasn't as quick to attack the new standards. Warner, a pro-coal Democrat, said he is for an all-of-the-above approach to energy, but thinks the U.S. needs to use cleaner sources to offset coal plants built in developing countries.

Source: The Hill weblog on 2014 Virginia Senate debate , Jul 26, 2014

Opposes drilling ANWR; but OK to drill offshore

Gilmore tried to distinguish his energy policy from Warner's by insisting the Democrat would oppose offshore drilling. Warner has said he would be in favor of allowing states to explore the possibility of drilling off their shores. He said "we need more drilling off the coast." However, the candidates continue to differ on drilling in the ANWR: Gilmore favors it, while Warner opposes the practice. Source: 2008 VA Senate Debate in The Washington Times , Sep 19, 2008

Offshore drilling is acceptable but not the "silver bullet"

GILMORE: [to Warner]: 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 US has a decisive energy policy.

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.

Source: 2008 VA Senate Debate between Jim Gilmore and Mark Warner , Jul 19, 2008

Vetoed offshore drilling ban until more laws & facts known

RHETORIC: Gilmore: "You said in your veto that you would not in fact exercise that state authority to begin to explore for oil back in 2005."

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]

Source: 2008 VA Senate Debate: analysis by Warner campaign , Jul 19, 2008

Drastically reduced emissions from VA coal power plants

Coal-fired power plants are among the largest emitters of air pollutants in the country--pollutants that cause acid rain and harm human health. June 2003, the Warner administration, along with the federal EPA and four other states entered into a settlement with Dominion Resources, the state's largest electric utility, requiring Dominion to drastically reduce emissions from its power plants. At the time, it represented the largest settlement in the history of the Clean Air Act. Source: 2008 Senate campaign website, markwarner2008.com, "Issues" , Mar 9, 2008