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The US should support offshore drilling.  The oil we find should be used domestically first.  If there are reserves, then we should sell our oil overseas.  The most important thing is to take care of America first; then we can share our abundance.  As a farmer for most of my life, I understand the importance of being a good steward for our land and its resources.  I live in Rustburg, Virginia, and there are pipelines carrying refined petroleum products from the Gulf coast going through both Virginia and West Virginia.  We remove trees to build roads and clear land for homes and development; clearing space for offshore oil drilling and pipeline opportunities are similar investments in our future.

For years, I served on the local Farm Bureau, an advocacy group that works to support agriculture and the farming heritage in our state.  I learned in my years as a farmer that there are many misconceptions regarding farming and how it affects our land.  For example, farmers are often blamed for using chemicals and pesticides that affect our water supply, yet the large amounts of nitrates used in fertilization for homes in subdivisions is much greater and more likely to affect our water quality.  There are misconceptions about oil drilling as well.

It was 1993 when I built my home.  As a result of a land dispute, I took an interest in the legal aspects of land ownership to better understand the law, which led to a 20-year career in real estate.  I was proud to help others become property owners.  Offshore drilling sites will be miles from anyone's property.  We need to see the big picture beyond party lines.  Opening up responsible offshore drilling is good for the nation.

Chris Chapman