NOAA ADMINISTRATOR ANNOUNCES 2007 BUDGET REQUEST
NOAA budget request includes $230 million for Climate Program

President Bush’s proposed 2007 budget, announced today, includes $230 million for NOAA’s Climate Program, including a net program increase of $24.1 million. NOAA’s total budget request is $3.68 billion, including a net program increase of $345 million. Retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator, unveiled the proposed budget for the Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration today.

“Changes in climate greatly affect our society and environment. Policy makers and business leaders are increasingly dependent on climate information to manage water resources, agriculture, energy use and human health,” Lautenbacher said. “For instance, significant climate events such as El Niño can cost the United States more than $25 billion per event. NOAA services have never been more important to the nation, and this budget request will provide increases to improve climate services as well as our other vital services.”

The requested amount for the Climate Program includes increased funding for building and maintaining the Global Ocean Observing System, an essential element in operational and research areas that are key to our understanding of the planet. The increase will also support drought impact research and help improve operational climate prediction as well as climate information products and forecasts. The additional funds will enable the installation of the remainder of the vital Climate Reference Network stations. Many of these activities will contribute to the Climate Change Science Program Synthesis and Assessment reports.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department, is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners and 60 countries to develop a global monitoring network that is as integrated as the planet it observes.

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