Rep. Costa Announces $10 Million for Valley Farmers and Ranchers

June 25, 2010

Funding allows ag producers to upgrade tractors and farm equipment

WASHINGTON,D.C. –Congressman Jim Costa today announced $10 million in funding for Valley farmersand ranchers to upgrade their tractors and agricultural equipment. The funding,made available through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS),offers agricultural producers incentives for retiring old inefficient engines tohelp improve air quality.

"Today'sannouncement is another win for our farmers and Valley economy," said Costa. "Bringingthis funding home will provide our farmers the financial tools to upgrade theirfarm tractors to meet emissions standards. I am pleased that the USDArecognizes the importance of supporting Valley agriculture as we work toimprove our air quality. I also commend the work of our farmers who have beenproactive throughout this process. I will continue to work with theAdministration to ensure that our farmers and entire Valley receive theresources we need to succeed."

This funding is in addition to over $13 million availableearlier this year for agricultural air quality improvements through the 2008Farm Bill's Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Costa was criticalto securing this funding in the 2008 Farm Bill, and has worked closely with theAdministration to make today's additional $10 million available.

Therelease issued by the USDA NRCS in California is below.

USDANRCS:

FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Alan Forkey (530) 792-5653

Ted Strauss (559) 252-2191

$10 Million MoreAvailable to Help Ag Producers Improve Air Quality

Funding toReduce Backlog of Applications for Diesel Engine Replacement

DAVIS, Calif., June 25, 2010 – The USDA Natural ResourcesConservation Service (NRCS) in California announced $10 million in additionalfunding for farmers and ranchers interested in reducing air quality emissionsfrom off-road mobile or stationary agricultural sources.

This funding is in addition to over $13 million availableearlier this year for agricultural air quality improvements through the 2008Farm Bill's Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The funding offersagricultural producers incentives for retiring old inefficient engines thatcontribute to air pollution problems.

"This program has been so successful that we wantedto make more funding available for the large number of farmers and ranchersstill requesting assistance this year," said Ed Burton, NRCS StateConservationist for California. "We'll be able to help more producers than wedid in 2009."

The program's success shows in the numbers: NRCSadministered $18.7 million and funded 335 applications for replacement ofon-farm diesel combustion engines in 2009.

There are 36 counties eligible to use the funds to helpachieve compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Theeligible counties are Alameda, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Contra Costa, ElDorado, Fresno, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin,Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento,San Bernardino, San Diego, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma,Stanislaus, Sutter, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura and Yolo.

"These counties are currently not in compliance with airquality standards for eight-hour ozone and particulate matter," Burton said."We're impressed how farmers and ranchers have stepped up and made aninvestment in improving California's air quality."

Producers have to come up with about half of the fundsneeded to voluntarily swap out older engines for newer, more efficient ones thatare nearly 75 percent cleaner. Stationary, portable and heavy-duty off-roadmobile systems are included as part of the program.

NRCS has worked with academic, conservation, regulatoryand industry groups to identify agricultural practices that will reduce ozoneprecursors [oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)] andparticulate matter [respirable (PM10) and fine (PM2.5)] emissions fromagricultural sources. Applications have been ranked according to the amount ofemission reductions achieved in the producer's proposed plan.

Moreinformation can be found at www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/2010/index.html.While there currently is an application backlog, interested producers ineligible counties can contact their local NRCS Service Center for informationabout future opportunities. A list of offices is available at https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=CA.

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