Tags: NOAA, Weather Satellite, GOES-R, Budget Cuts
Publication: ClimateCentral.org
Publication Date: 03/06/2013

Artist’s rendition of the GOES-R satellite. Image credit: Lockheed Martin

The House of Representatives approved legislation that would ease the budget shortfall that threatens to delay National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s geostationary weather satellites. The bill keeps funding flat at the 2012 level for most federal agencies and departments but it makes an exception for NOAA’s program.

The agency’s weather satellites beam crucial data for weather forecasts and for tracking storms. The spending bill would approve an extra $186 million more than the program received in 2012, setting aside a total of $802 million for NOAA’s GOES-R, its next generation of geostationary satellites.

Without the funds, further delays could be in store for the satellites, which would translate into a longer, more severe weather satellite gap expected to occur in a couple of years. However, before NOAA can receive the capital, the Senate must approve the legislation for it to become a law. This could become a set back according to some analysts.

Additionally, reports indicate that since the bill’s budget for federal operations is still subject to sequestration, the funds would be reduced by 5 percent before they are allocated. Thus, the $802 million the House bill sets aside for NOAA’s GOES-R satellites would actually end up being roughly $762 million. This is less than what NOAA says is necessary to keep GOES-R on track, but more than Congress has approved for the program so far this year.

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