They actually listened and voted it down so no rigs for our coast. My hands are literally shaking because I honestly thought they might try to sneak it through again (but they didn't). Keep your eyes peeled for any future nonsense because we are definitely staying ready but for today …
October 5, 2015
Final supporters
Offshore oil and gas drilling poses a direct threat to the environment and economy of the City of Virginia Beach. Oil and gas development in the Atlantic would require seismic surveys, drilling operations, oil transport by tankers, and the installation of platforms, pipelines, and other infrastructure. Collectively, these activities would significantly damage the environment, marine life, and related economies, while exposing the Virginia coast to the risk of a catastrophic oil spill. For these reasons, the Surfrider Foundation is strongly opposed to offshore drilling.
As demonstrated by the BP Deep Horizon accident of 2010, one oil spill can decimate tourism and fishing industries for years to come. The U.S. Travel Association estimates that the BP spill caused $23 billion in tourism impacts over a three-year span for Gulf Coast states.
Considering Virginia Beach’s economic reliance on tourism, which is directly dependent on our pristine coastal resources and quality of life, it simply doesn’t make economic or environmental sense to pursue offshore drilling on our coastline.
We ask the Virginia Beach City Council to join local business and community leaders by issuing a formal statement opposing drilling off the Virginia coastline.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
September 21, 2015
September 19, 2015
I just looked at the total and my brain is spinning because we are finally creeping up toward the big one thousand mark and honestly it feels like people are actually starting to listen to us now. Please tell everyone you know because if we hit this goal before the council meets it might actually be enough to rattle them and force a real conversation about keeping our beaches clean.
September 10, 2015
I was just looking at the shoreline today and thinking about how quickly a single spill could ruin all of this for everyone who lives here. The city council is being remarkably quiet lately but I happen to know they are seeing the pressure we are putting on them which is exactly why we cannot stop now.
Reached 100 supporters
July 22, 2015
293 Comments
Wind turbines, wave turbines and solar energy all require a grid to transit the energy generated. The grid will create jobs to build and to maintain and wouldn't it be nice for Virginia Beach to be known as a pioneer and front-runner in fossil-free energy.
Please vote "no" to Offshore Drilling. I live in Chesapeake, but very close to the Ches/VB line and we spend quite a bit of time and money in VB and the oceanfront. Would hate to see our beaches and our local water health negatively affected by this.
It is inconceivable that a resort city council would even consider allowing oil drilling on the same coast, much less directly off our shores. We absolutely do not require a light rail to watch the tar balls roll ashore!
Offshore drilling is still too dangerous to our environment. There is no absolute protection from accidents and one would devastate our local economy. Also, I am not convinced that the oil business will provide a lot of benefits to our local economy.
Having grown up in Texas with tar balls on the beach, I know firsthand what offshore drilling would do to our pristine beaches and, accordingly, the impact it would have on tourism and the health of the bay and the ocean.
Please Stop
I grew up in the Tidewater area, beach time was always precious time to my family. Especially sitting on the shore watching the dolphins play in the waves. One little spill from off shore drilling, I shutter to think how many dolphin and marine animals would first suffer and then cease to exist.
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They actually listened and voted it down so no rigs for our coast. My hands are literally shaking because I honestly thought they might try to sneak it through again (but they didn't). Keep your eyes peeled for any future nonsense because we are definitely staying ready but for today …
October 5, 2015
Final supporters
Offshore oil and gas drilling poses a direct threat to the environment and economy of the City of Virginia Beach. Oil and gas development in the Atlantic would require seismic surveys, drilling operations, oil transport by tankers, and the installation of platforms, pipelines, and other infrastructure. Collectively, these activities would significantly damage the environment, marine life, and related economies, while exposing the Virginia coast to the risk of a catastrophic oil spill. For these reasons, the Surfrider Foundation is strongly opposed to offshore drilling.
As demonstrated by the BP Deep Horizon accident of 2010, one oil spill can decimate tourism and fishing industries for years to come. The U.S. Travel Association estimates that the BP spill caused $23 billion in tourism impacts over a three-year span for Gulf Coast states.
Considering Virginia Beach’s economic reliance on tourism, which is directly dependent on our pristine coastal resources and quality of life, it simply doesn’t make economic or environmental sense to pursue offshore drilling on our coastline.
We ask the Virginia Beach City Council to join local business and community leaders by issuing a formal statement opposing drilling off the Virginia coastline.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
September 21, 2015
September 19, 2015
I just looked at the total and my brain is spinning because we are finally creeping up toward the big one thousand mark and honestly it feels like people are actually starting to listen to us now. Please tell everyone you know because if we hit this goal before the council meets it might actually be enough to rattle them and force a real conversation about keeping our beaches clean.
September 10, 2015
I was just looking at the shoreline today and thinking about how quickly a single spill could ruin all of this for everyone who lives here. The city council is being remarkably quiet lately but I happen to know they are seeing the pressure we are putting on them which is exactly why we cannot stop now.
Reached 100 supporters
July 22, 2015
293 Comments
Beyond the risks associated with offshore drilling, where would the gas or oil go? Transportation and processing are the very kinds of heavy industry Virginia Beach has avoided thus far. Please don't risk our current businesses for this.
Wind turbines, wave turbines and solar energy all require a grid to transit the energy generated. The grid will create jobs to build and to maintain and wouldn't it be nice for Virginia Beach to be known as a pioneer and front-runner in fossil-free energy.
Please vote "no" to Offshore Drilling. I live in Chesapeake, but very close to the Ches/VB line and we spend quite a bit of time and money in VB and the oceanfront. Would hate to see our beaches and our local water health negatively affected by this.
It is inconceivable that a resort city council would even consider allowing oil drilling on the same coast, much less directly off our shores. We absolutely do not require a light rail to watch the tar balls roll ashore!
Offshore drilling is still too dangerous to our environment. There is no absolute protection from accidents and one would devastate our local economy. Also, I am not convinced that the oil business will provide a lot of benefits to our local economy.
Having grown up in Texas with tar balls on the beach, I know firsthand what offshore drilling would do to our pristine beaches and, accordingly, the impact it would have on tourism and the health of the bay and the ocean.
Please Stop
I grew up in the Tidewater area, beach time was always precious time to my family. Especially sitting on the shore watching the dolphins play in the waves. One little spill from off shore drilling, I shutter to think how many dolphin and marine animals would first suffer and then cease to exist.
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Beyond the risks associated with offshore drilling, where would the gas or oil go? Transportation and processing are the very kinds of heavy industry Virginia Beach has avoided thus far. Please don't risk our current businesses for this.