Press Releases

Costa Asks State Legislature to Craft and Pass Vital Water Legislation

October 29, 2009

The Time Is Now For California To Pass A Water Package Including Storage, Conveyance And Long-Term Water Plans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) sent a letter to the California State Senate and Assembly urging both chambers take the lead and craft a robust water package to improve California's broken water system. The text of the letter is below.

October 29, 2009

The Honorable Darrell Steinberg The Honorable Karen Bass

President pro Tempore Speaker

California State Senate California State Assembly

Costa Letter Regarding Two-Gates Project

October 27, 2009

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) submitted comments to the Bureau of Reclamation regarding the Two-Gates project. The Bureau of Reclamation released a Draft Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact (EA/FONSI) for the proposed Two-Gates project for public review. A public meeting was held in Fresno on October 26, 2009 at 6:30pm. The text of the letter is below.

October 26, 2009

Rep. Costa's District Staff To Hold Mobile Office Hours In Delano

October 27, 2009

Press Release

BAKERSFIELD, CA – On November 3, 2009, Congressman Jim Costa's Bakersfield District Staff will hold office hours in Delano. Staff will be available to assist constituents experiencing problems with federal agencies, such as Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Area residents are also encouraged to stop by and share their comments about issues in Congress. Bilingual staff will be available for Spanish-speaking constituents.

$3.1 Million Federal Energy Grant Awarded To Fresno County

October 16, 2009

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C.- An Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) totaling $3,151,300 was awarded to Fresno County today. These funds will help create jobs locally, improve communities' energy efficiency, and reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions.

"Funding will create new jobs in our Valley and help our local communities use energy in more efficient ways," Costa said. "I know the grant money will be put to good use. This grant is great news for our local economy in Fresno County,"

Costa Opposes Bay Area Water Recycling Bill

October 15, 2009

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) voted against the Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program Expansion Act of 2009 today because it offered no assistance to the water crisis in the San Joaquin Valley. However, bill passed the House by a vote of 241 to 173. Costa spoke on the House Floor today opposing the process which brought the bill to the floor. The speech can be viewed by clicking here.

Over $16 Million In Federal Grant Funding Coming To California For Specialty Crops

October 15, 2009

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Approximately $16.3 million in federal grant funding will be coming to California to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) helped to fight for increased specialty crop funding during the Farm Bill debate in 2008. California received more than four times the amount of the next highest state.

"These funds are a triple win for our state, our agriculture industry and our local economy," Costa said. "Our Valley leads the nation in growing crops like almonds, peaches, and table grapes.

Congressman Jim Costa announces Spring 2010 Page Sponsorship Availability

October 14, 2009

Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) announced that he is currently eligible to nominate a Congressional Page for the 2010 Spring session of the U.S. House of Representatives Democratic Page Program. Pages have been serving the House of Representatives for nearly two hundred years. Working as a team, Pages assist Members with their legislative duties, deliver correspondence and small packages within the congressional complex, answer phones in the Member cloakrooms, and prepare the House Floor for sessions.

Two Critical Veterans Bills Passed by the US House of Representatives

October 9, 2009

Press Release

WASHINGTON D.C. - The following two bills overwhelmingly passed the US House of Representatives yesterday with bipartisan support.

First, the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act (H.R. 1016) ensures sufficient and predictable veterans funding by authorizing Congress to approve investments in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical care one year in advance. This will provide time for the VA to plan how to deliver the best care to all veterans.

Congressmen Costa and Cardoza Introduce Bill to Ease Drought For Central Valley Farmers

October 7, 2009

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives Jim Costa (D-Fresno) and Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced) introduced a bill today that would help ease the effects of severe drought in the Central Valley by facilitating the transfers of up to 300,000 acre-feet of irrigation water.

The Water Transfer Facilitation Act of 2009 eases restrictions on the Bureau of Reclamation and would streamline environmental reviews for the giant garter snake.

Costa Water Relief Approved By House of Representatives

October 2, 2009

Press Release

Energy and Water Appropriations Conference Includes Costa Amendments to Fund Critical California Water Projects and Ease Regulations to Transfer Water Around The State

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Valley took a step closer to getting additional water supplies today as the U.S. House of Representatives approved proposals offered by Congressmen Jim Costa (D-Fresno) and Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced) designed to increase the availability of water from the San Joaquin-Sacramento Delta to users south of the Delta.