A new Rasmussen poll shows voters support offshore drilling more than ever.

The national Rasmussen Reports telephone survey found that 72 percent of registered voters favor offshore drilling, and only 12 percent are opposed. Rasmussen says this is the highest level of support for offshore drilling in the past three years.

The poll was conducted Wednesday and Thursday after President Obama announced plans to permit drilling in certain areas along U.S. coastlines. Interestingly, 59 percent of the voters polled said drilling also should be allowed off the coast of California and New England, which will remain closed under the president's plan.

Rasmussen reports that there is a huge division of opinion between "Mainstream" voters and what it terms the "Political Class." According to the poll,... more »

Virginia yesterday became the first East Coast state to win approval for the development of offshore oil and natural gas resources.

Gov. Bob McDonnell, who has stated that he wants Virginia to become the "Energy Capital of the East Coast," applauded President Obama's announcement and renewed his call for federal legislation that would allow Virginia to share in the royalties from oil and natural production.

In a statement, the governor said:

"...to fully participate in the positive impact of offshore energy development, the Commonwealth must be included in all royalty and revenue sharing arrangements, in a manner equivalent to what the Gulf Coast states currently receive."

Last week, Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) introduced legislation with bipartisan support that would provide for offshore... more »

UPDATE (5/28/10): Read a more recent statement from API President and CEO Jack Gerard regarding President Obama's May 27 announcement delaying and cancelling some offshore development projects.

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President Obama announced an energy strategy today that includes expanding offshore drilling in certain areas along the Atlantic coast, in a portion of the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and off the coast of Alaska.

API President and CEO Jack Gerard responded by saying:

"The announcement by President Obama and Secretary Salazar is a positive development. We look forward to reviewing the details of the proposal, and we stand ready to work with them to make this a reality. We appreciate the administration's recognition of the importance of developing ou... more »