"Significant new oil find in the Gulf"... We Need Offshore Drilling in Virginia!!...

It has been reported that there has been a "Significant new oil discovery" in the deepwater of the Gulf of Mexico and it is the result of some very impressive technology, investment, and effort...

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The find is located in the Appomattox prospect area in the Mississippi Canyon. The well was drilled through more than 7,200 feet of water to a total depth of 25,077 feet where it found a 530'-thick layer containing oil.

A published report indicates the discovery is estimated to hold at least 100 million barrels of oil.

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The above video is from the recent "Summit on Virginia's Energy Future" at which time Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell describes how 37.5% of the royalties coming from the Gulf of Mexico goes directly to the Gulf States and their budgets...

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We NEED to develop the known energy sources offshore of the Virginia coast to benefit the Citizens of Virginia and the United States...

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enough said....

Wood Waste for Energy Production...

In today's NewsLeader there was an article about harnessing energy from processing the waste wood that ends up in the local landfill only to decay and produce methane gas that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere...

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This process is already in use in California and info \ description can be found here....

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Interesting article and another energy source that Virginia needs to look at. In fact it was discussed at the recent "Summit on Virginia's Energy Future" which I had the opportunity to attend. Yet another form of energy that is from "All of the above" options that Virginia needs to look at and consider...
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I took a hike yesterday up near Humpback Rocks and found a large increase of downed trees along the trail near the Appalachian Trail. Now I know that this is not the type of woodwaste that is being considered as an energy source described above, but there is an incredible amount of deadwood on the ground of our State\National forests...
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All of these dead trees are decomposing and contributing large amounts of CO2 and Methane gasses that many fear contribute to global warming...
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What are we to do with this problem?
Many eco-groups and anti-logging people are against the use of proper Forest management and it has been shown many times in the local media. But does that deal with this problem?
Is it a problem?
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Virginia Energy Summit "All of the above"...

That was the answer coming from the President and Chief Nuclear Officer from Dominion Virginia Power when he was asked how Virginia was going to meet the increased energy demand in Virginia’s future…

He went on to explain that there is no one energy source available to Virginia to meet it’s energy needs and that it will take a combination of many different forms of energy production. Some may feel it odd or strange coming from a “Nuclear” guy that he was not pushing for an increase in nuclear production, but like many assembled at this summit, we all know it will take investment in many available forms of energy to fill the need….

Forms of energy such as: Coal
Wind \ Solar
Nuclear
Conservation “The fifth energy”
Oil \ Natural Gas

Another interesting point made was that 60+% of the increased demand for energy in Virginia came from behind existing meters showing that it is not new growth but higher demand in locations with more and bigger toys to run. Homes with multiple computers, flat screen T.V. / monitors, and energy hungry electronics…

“This is not just an issue for Congress to deal with but an important issue that Virginia must also deal with“.

Additional Post on the Summit....

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The House floor and then the "Hawk n Dove"...

Had the great opportunity to go up to Washington D.C. today to watch our Congress at work during a very important and historical time in our governments history...

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To be honest we sat for over an hour or so in the House chamber where the only order of business was for the Representatives to vote on a motion to suspend the rules to some issue we never did find out what it was about...

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Turns out we watched 415 members of Congress come to the floor, most of them late responding to the call, suspend the rules, and with 20 of them never showing up to cast a vote or do the "People's business"...

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We did have the opportunity to see Representative Bob Goodlatte (R) from the 6th district of Virginia working the House floor and numerous fellow Congress members on a unknown issue...

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After leaving "The Hill" we made our way over to the "Hawk 'n' Dove", which many remember from an incident in 2006 with Representative Patrick Kennedy (D), and spent some quality time with many of the locals and workers discussing what was going on over on "The Hill"...

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This was a great opportunity to sit and watch the people pass by, strike up a conversation, and discuss how the "Healthcare bill" being discussed(?) on "The Hill" and how it will effect us all...

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Believe me when I tell you that there is NOT the support for the bill on the "street" as they think there is on the "Hill"...

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While working our way to the House chamber we went through the new Capitol Visitor Center and the above "In God We Trust" was pointed out to us. The inclusion of our nations motto has been somewhat of an issue in the past....
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Once again one of our local businessmen here in Augusta County has taken it upon himself to ask the questions that many of us have been thinking about and in a way to publicly do it....

The owner of Blue Ridge lumber has once again posted large 4x8 signs asking where are the leaders like James Madison during a time where the Federal Government is running unrestricted and using whatever made-up rules and procedures to get their way...

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He has done this in the past and I have always enjoyed looking for the next thought provoking "Question" to be posted as well as the quick conversations we have when it comes time to plant some campaign signs in the area...


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Virginia Energy Summit ~Lt. Governor Bill Bolling~

Virginia Lt. Governor Bill Bolling at the Virginia Energy Summit last week in Richmond...

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Bolling explains that the funds needed for education, transportation, and other State programs will need to come from a growing and sustainable economy in Virginia...

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Additional posts from the Summit

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Virginia Energy Summit ~Governor Bob McDonnell~

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell at the "Summit on Virginia's Energy Future" held in Richmond where he spoke about the diverse energy sources now established in Virginia as well as the many potential energy sources available...

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Additional Energy Summit posts...

Virginia Energy Summit....

Attended the "Summit on Virginia's Energy Future" today in Richmond that was sponsored by the Virginia Manufacturers Association and the API American Petroleum Institute to explore and discuss the many established and potential energy sources available in Virginia...

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Very informative session and had the opportunity to hear numerous speakers regarding the future of Virginia's energy demands and energy sources. This summit discussed the many aspects of providing diverse sources of energy now and in the future...

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Guest speakers to this event also included Governor Bob McDonnell and Lt. Governor Bill Bolling who discussed their efforts to expand potential energy sources such as offshore Natural Gas, Wind power, and Oil drilling as well as other forms of potential energy sources on land...

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Above video is Mike Ward, Executive Director of the Virginia Petroleum Council and Erik Milito, Director of Upstream & Industry Operations API introducing the summit. There was an incredible amount of information provided and RightsideVA will post numerous topics in the near future...

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Additional Energy Summit Posts...

Remember this on April 15th...

In 2008 alone, 447 House employees and 231 Senate workers didn’t pay their taxes, according to figures from the IRS, Office of Personnel Management, and Department of Defense. Federal employees in the U.S. House of Representatives owed more than $5.8 million in unpaid taxes in 2008. The Senate employees owe more than $2.46 million, according to figures.

Politico reports...