Energy
Virginia is blessed with natural resources that would allow us to scale down foreign oil consumption and stop sending our hard-earned money abroad. Israel continues to be a strong proponent of Virginia’s natural resources and the Virginians who make a living in connection with them.
Virginia has an abundance of coal and natural gas, which both play an integral part in Virginia’s future. Coal is the most affordable and proven method of electricity generation in Southwest Virginia. While other sources such as wind and solar can augment generation, coal literally keeps the lights on by providing reliable, affordable, on-demand electricity that powers our lives, businesses and community organizations. With the advent of extremely advanced coal plants like Dominion’s Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center in Wise County, generation of electricity is cleaner than ever before.
Natural gas is a rapidly emerging alternative fuel option. It is clean-burning and affordable, and Southwest Virginia has significant amounts of it. As natural gas engines are shifting from a theory into reality, it is crucial that Southwest Virginia be on the leading edge of this proven and emerging technology. Additionally, Delegate O'Quinn has supported renewable energy options where it makes good financial sense to do so.
He has also passed a mine safety bill to ensure that underground miners are kept safe by avoiding ever having a drilling rig inadvertently drill into an active mine. Israel has also carried legislation to keep Virginia's utility bills lower by staying out of costly cap-and-trade schemes.
