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H.R.1756 / 115th Congress

Virginia Jobs and Energy Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 28, 2017

Virginia Jobs and Energy Act

This bill directs the Department of the Interior to conduct an oil and gas lease sale off the coast of Virginia within one year, and conduct at least two lease sales in the area during the 2017-2022 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program. During each of Interior's five-year leasing programs, two lease sales must be conducted off the coast of Virginia.

The bill prohibits oil or natural gas exploration, development, or production off the Virginia coast that would conflict with a military operation.

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The bill allocates 37.5% of new leasing revenues received each fiscal year by the federal government for payment to states affected with respect to the leases that generate these revenues. Additionally, the bill sets forth the minimum and maximum revenues that an affected state may receive.

Interior must require any applicant seeking to conduct an offshore meteorological site testing and monitoring project to obtain a permit and right-of-way. (An offshore meteorological site testing and monitoring project is carried out on or in the waters of the outer Continental Shelf to test or monitor weather using towers, buoys, or other temporary ocean infrastructure). These projects shall be exempt from environmental impact statement requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Comstock, Barbara [R-VA-10] · R–VA

Committees

  • Natural Resources Committee
2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

  2. Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

  3. Introduced in House

  4. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 11, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.1756 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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