Washington, D.C. – Today in a letter sent to Department of Commerce (DOC) Secretary John Bryson and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Jane Lubchenco, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Subcommittee on Investigations & Oversight Chairman Paul Broun (R-GA) requested details on potential funding irregularities within the National Weather Service (NWS).
Press reports earlier this year indicated that $50 to $100 million in funds may have been transferred at NWS without congressional approval. While NWS conducted a preliminary review last fall, a senior-level DOC and NOAA investigation into the matter continues to drag on without any end in sight.
“This is a serious matter that demands both NOAA and DOC cooperation,” Chairman Broun states in his letter. “Notwithstanding the President’s unfortunate use of weather forecasting and weather satellites for political purposes, the Administration’s fiscal year 2013 request for NWS is $972.2 million, a decrease of $19.7 million, or 2 percent below FY 2012 levels,” Broun adds in the letter. “As the Administration continues to sacrifice weather forecasting for other NOAA priorities, this misallocation could have a significant impact on lives and property.”
Full letter can be found HERE