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NOAA Climate Service Proposed

The Obama administration has proposed what amounts to a reorganization of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to feature a new climate service. Modeled loosely on the 140-year-old National Weather Service, the NOAA Atmospheric Administration would provide forecasts to farmers, regional water managers and businesses affected by changing climate conditions. The predictions would provide information on how global warming will affect everything from drought to sea levels.

NOAA ranks as one of the federal government's key agencies for monitoring the climate and conducting climate research and has responded to millions of annual requests for climate information. NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco believes models will continue to improve and we will be able to provide more and more information.

According to Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, the service would be able to provide advice on which farm crops will need increased irrigation. The House and Senate Appropriations committees have jurisdiction over NOAA and will have to approve the reorganization, planned for Oct. 1.