Virginia Gov. McAuliffe: Long Review Likely for Natural Gas Drilling

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe is in agreement with two Cabinet secretaries who say state permitting for natural gas drilling in Virginia’s coastal plain are years away.

Spokesman Brian Coy said on Sept. 4 that McAuliffe is mindful of the unique nature of the Potomac Aquifer and is not inclined to hasten state reviews of hydraulic fracking in the Taylorsville Basin. A Dallas energy company wants to tap an estimated 1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas from tens of thousands of leased acres south and east of Fredericksburg.

Critics fear the environmental impact, especially on water supplies.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that two McAuliffe administration officials said the possibility of permitting the drilling is likely years down the road, and perhaps after McAuliffe finishes his present term.