RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Efforts to divert funds received from possible offshore drilling for oil and gas off Virginia's coast are moving forward in the General Assembly.
The House passed a bill proposed by Gov. Bob McDonnell on Monday to divert 70 percent of the revenues to transportation, 20 percent to energy research and 10 percent to localities. The bill passed 71-26.
The Senate advanced a similar version on a 23-17 vote, but it designated 70 percent for the state's general fund instead of transportation despite the objections of the bill's sponsor, Republican Sen. Frank Wagner. A final vote is expected Tuesday.
The federal government is expected to lease drilling rights beginning in 2011.
Environmentalists say the drilling threatens the ecology of the Atlantic shoreline.
