[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 70 (Wednesday, May 16, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E822]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SUPPORTING NOAA'S CLIMATE COMPETITIVE RESEARCH, SUSTAINED OBSERVATIONS 
                    AND REGIONAL INFORMATION PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JARED POLIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 16, 2012

  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of NOAA's Climate 
Competitive Research, Sustained Observations and Regional Information 
program, which was unfortunately cut by $26 million from the 
President's Fiscal Year 2013 budget request in the Commerce, Justice, 
Science FY13 Appropriations bill.
  While I appreciate the funding included in this bill for NOAA's 
satellite programs, NASA, NIST, and NSF, and thank my colleagues who 
supported these programs, I urge them to work with me to restore the 
$26 million cut in this important climate research program.
  In March, I joined 28 of my House colleagues in writing to the House 
Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Science and Justice in support 
of the full budget request for this program.
  NOAA's competitive climate program contributes to local, regional, 
national, and global weather and water outlooks. These are relied upon 
by key decision makers in cities and States throughout the country in 
areas such as agriculture and power generation. The State of Colorado 
is not only the home to world-class research institutions whose 
researchers are supported by this funding, but it is also a user of 
this information for vital natural resource governance decisions.
  The southwest has experienced persistent drought conditions over the 
last three decades. Temperatures in Colorado have increased two degrees 
during the same time, a trend that will likely persist. Colorado has 
also experienced earlier snow melting, which desiccates our reservoirs, 
contributing to increased demand for water for personal and 
agricultural use, and increased flooding risk.
  The agricultural community, water resource managers, and power 
suppliers across Colorado rely on the monitoring, observation, and 
analysis supported by this funding line to inform decisions that 
directly affect the health of the economy.
  The importance of this need was recognized in a Memorandum of 
Understanding between the Western Governors Association and NOAA to 
provide climate information to western states to help them mitigate 
disaster situations stemming from flood, drought, and fires.
  This Climate Competitive Research, Sustained Observations and 
Regional Information program also supports critical ocean observing 
systems, as data has shown that the highly dynamic relationship between 
oceans and the atmosphere affects weather and climate shifts over land. 
It also supports satellite calibration and validation which inform the 
most accurate satellite observations.
  Importantly, many American businesses rely on this funding to create 
and manufacture environmental observing equipment.
  I recognize that we must make difficult choices in our current fiscal 
environment. Supporting this program will continue our investments in 
research, observations, and modeling to help States and businesses 
manage environmental risk and reduce future expenses from natural 
disasters.
  I urge my colleagues to consider restoring funding to NOAA's Climate 
Competitive Research, Sustained Observations and Regional Information 
program before this spending bill is enacted into law.

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