Constituent Relations

NOAA Research Updates

FY 2010 Appropriations Update

On September 30, Congress passed and the President signed a stopgap measure known as a continuing resolution (CR) that will keep government agencies funded through the end of October. The CR is attached to the Legislative Branch appropriations bill (H.R. 2918/ P.L. 111-68). The CR keeps most discretionary spending programs operating at fiscal 2009 levels. A CR specifies that funding remain at the level of the previous fiscal year and that no new programs can be started or ongoing programs be terminated.

Majority leaders are expressing optimism at passing all government spending bills by the end of October, though six of the 11 bills have yet to make it through the Senate. The Senate has begun to debate and amend the Commerce-Justice-Science bill (H.R. 2847) - the appropriations bill that includes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

House and Senate conferees are expected to discuss the bill for the Interior Department, U.S. EPA, and U.S. Forest Service the week of October 12. The EPA appropriations bill includes a potential $475 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which would be shared among numerous agencies if appropriated. The Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory and a team of NOAA regional representatives are working with the EPA on the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

Climate Legislation Update

Also on September 30, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Senator John Kerry (D-MA) released a draft of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act. The Boxer-Kerry bill is a comprehensive energy and climate legislation from the Senate side. The House version of a climate bill passed in June. The purpose of this cap and trade focused bill is to create clean energy jobs, promote energy independence, reduce global warming pollution, and transition to a clean energy economy.

There are a number of OAR-related provisions in the bill, including climate services, natural resources adaptation to climate change impacts, and black carbon research. Of particular interest to NOAA are provisions to establish a National Climate Service within NOAA that would develop climate information, data, forecasts, and warnings at national and regional scales. Information from a climate service would then be distributed to State, local, and tribal governments and the public to facilitate the development and implementation of strategies to reduce society’s vulnerability to climate variability and change. In addition, the bill directs NOAA and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to establish coordinated procedures for developing and providing science and information necessary to address the ongoing and expected impacts of climate change on natural resources.

Ocean Policy Update

On September 17, the White House announced the public release of the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force’s Interim Report to the President. The report is available online and is open for comment through October 17. Dr. Lubchenco, a member of the Task Force, noted that the report provides proposals for the first-ever, comprehensive national approach to uphold our stewardship responsibilities and to ensure accountability for our actions. It includes recommendations for a national policy, an improved governance structure and actions for implementation.

Dr. Lubchenco also called attention to the Task Force’s efforts to engage the public, listening to stakeholders and interested parties all around the country. They convened over 20 expert briefings, received hundreds of comments online and are holding a second of six regional public meetings.

Upcoming Meetings

Visit the NOAA booth and talk with NOAA Research staff at the following events:

AARP 2009 National Event & Expo, October 22–24 in Las Vegas, NV

American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting and Expo, November 7-11 in Philadelphia, PA

2009 American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting, December 14 – 18 in San Francisco, CA

American Meteorological Society 90th Annual Meeting, January 17 -21 in Atlanta, GA

Constituent Roundtables

Constituent involvement is essential to OAR's success as we strive to define our priorities and align them with the NOAA Five-Year Research Plan. The purpose of this series of Roundtables is to solicit input from key constituents to ensure OAR's priorities reflect the needs of our current and future partners and customers.

For summaries of past roundtables, please click the links below.

Year