Cline pushes to proceed with oil-drilling leases

Del. Ben Cline, R-Rockbridge County, said Friday he has asked the federal government to move ahead with plans to sell oil-drilling leases off Virginia’s coast in 2011.

In a letter to Ken Salazar, secretary of the Interior, Cline urged that there be no further delays.

Cline said the lease sale would create new jobs in Virginia, provide the state with new revenue, “and ease our budget problems.”

Cline is opposed for re-election by Democrat Jeff Price, a Madison Heights businessman.