Environmentalists applaud, petroleum industry does not; reaction to offshore oil drilling announcement Evan Jones March 16, 2016 1 minute read (Associated Press) In a major reversal, the Obama administration says it will not allow oil drilling in the Atlantic Ocean off four states, including Virginia. As WFIR’s Evan Jones reports, the announcement prompted immediate — and mixed — reaction. Share: Post navigation Previous: U.V.A. students increasingly seeking mental health aidNext: Italy-based company to build $75 million plant in Botetourt, creating 350 new jobs Related Stories 3 minutes read Old Dominion University alumna killed in Minneapolis ICE shooting Ian Price January 8, 2026 0 4 minutes read Salem Stampede Championship Rodeo returns this weekend with high-stakes competition Ian Price January 8, 2026 0 3 minutes read Radford University chair warns of ‘dangerous precedent’ as Venezuela transitions to new leadership Ian Price January 8, 2026 0