That's right, newly-inaugurated Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell wants to open up Virginia waters for drilling 50 miles off the coast. He cites his desire to make Virginia and energy hub on the east coast, and the needs of his cash-strapped state.
There are a number of problems with this (including concerns about rockets and debris from NASA), but chiefly it is the idea that to make money, state needs to invest in old technology. A short term solution to the energy problem is not the same as a long term solution. Virginia would be much better off in the long run investing in renewable energy technology - something that doesn't dry up after a few years of damaging drilling.
Take Block Island, RI, for example. Instead of offshore drilling, they're investing in offshore wind farms. Would it not be more effective, cheaper, and more efficient for Virginia to invest in a wide array of similar renewables?
I hope Governor McDonnell reconsiders...