The Interior Department is canceling indefinitely hearings on the proposed sale of gas and oil leases off the coast of Virginia.
The postponement is contained in a notice of the Federal Register, and environmentalists said it signals a suspension of the lease sale off of Virginia.
Governor Bob McDonnell's energy secretary, Maureen Matsen, contends the government is taking a "prudent" step in suspended the hearings while it deals with the Gulf oil spill.
The hearings were to be held in Norfolk, North Carolina and Maryland.
The postponement is contained in a notice of the Federal Register, and environmentalists said it signals a suspension of the lease sale off of Virginia.
Governor Bob McDonnell's energy secretary, Maureen Matsen, contends the government is taking a "prudent" step in suspended the hearings while it deals with the Gulf oil spill.
The hearings were to be held in Norfolk, North Carolina and Maryland.
