Costa named chairman of Natural Resources subcommittee

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Jim Costa, D-Fresno, was selected today as chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources of House Natural Resources Committee.

Costa's selection was announced by Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick Rahall, D-WV.

Commenting on his Subcommittee chairmanship Costa said, "I believe this will afford us a bipartisan opportunity to address our energy needs.  The Subcommittee will play a role in developing a new direction in reducing U.S. dependence on foreign sources of energy."

Costa will continue to serve on the Committee's Subcommittee on Water and Power, a membership he sees as important to the development of the Valley's future water policy.  "The Central Valley's Congressional delegation is working in conjunction with the Water Institute at California State University, Fresno and Gov. Schwarzenegger's San Joaquin Valley Partnership to develop a regional water plan that will address our future water issues.  The Subcommittee on Water and Power will have a role in any federal legislative initiatives that are required to authorize the regional water plan and, as well, the legislation that will implement the San Joaquin River settlement," Costa stated.

In addition to his membership on the Natural Resources Committee, Costa is member of the House Agriculture Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee. 

As a member of the Agriculture Committee, Costa will serve as a member of two subcommittees, the Subcommittee Livestock, Diary and Poultry and the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research.  Costs noted that his Agriculture Committee membership is vital to the interests of his district and the Central Valley.  "This year we will be reauthorizing the Farm Bill and I look forward to the opportunity to speak to the needs of our agriculture industry, particularly in the area of trade policy," Costa declared.

The Fresno lawmaker has also been selected for membership on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and two of its subcommittees, the Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia and the Subcommittee on Europe.  "These are difficult times for the U.S. in the international arena," Costa declared.  He added, "The Foreign Affairs Committee, by exercising its oversight responsibility in a bipartisan manner, can add common sense and consistency to our foreign policy goals."

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