Virginia Petroleum Council launches new ad campaign to promote job creation and offshore energy development

RICHMOND, October 28, 2015 – Virginia Petroleum Council (VPC) Executive Director Mike Ward announced the launch of a new advertising campaign to promote bringing safe and responsible energy development in the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and reliable, well-paying jobs home to Virginia. This campaign reflects the VPC’s confidence that industry is ready to invest in the state to give Virginians additional opportunities for well-paying jobs.

“The industry already supports over 140,000 jobs in Virginia and adds more than $7 billion to the state economy,” said Ward. “Safe and responsible oil and natural gas development in the Atlantic OCS could create more than 20,000 additional jobs for Virginians and add more than $1 billion to the state budget by 2035 with revenue sharing in place.”

Print ads began running today in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, and radio advertisements began earlier this month as the discussion on developing offshore oil and natural gas in the Atlantic OCS continues into next year as part of the administration’s 5-year offshore plan.

Pro energy policies supporting oil and natural gas development in the Atlantic OCS could bring high spending levels to Virginia, according to recent studies.

“The boost to Virginia’s manufacturing sector, ports industry and state government revenues could add up to billions of dollars,” said Ward. “Offshore energy development by this industry has driven coastal economies for generations, and increased production can help to drive down costs for American consumers.”

The VPC is a division of API, which represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 625 members produce, process, and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry also supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy.