In a move to improve the nation’s weather forecasting accuracy, Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas and Ohio Rep. Max Miller introduced the Weather Data Taxpayer Protection Act.
Lucas did so in his capacity as chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee. He and Miller described H.R. 9219 as critical step in improving the accuracy and reliability of weather prediction by ensuring weather tools, purchased with taxpayer funds, are more accurate, standardized, and able to account for ever-changing weather risks.
The Weather Data Taxpayer Protection Act would establish a commission to ensure the quality, reliability, usability, timeliness, and accuracy of weather risk data and models utilized or purchased by Federal departments and agencies.
“For millions of Americans, accurate weather predictions can make or break one’s livelihood. Whether you work in the agricultural industry, the oil and gas industry, or on Main Street, rapidly changing weather patterns have increasingly affected our day-to-day lives,” said Congressman Frank Lucas.
“We’ve accomplished so much in enhancing weather predictions, but there is still work to be done. That is why I’m proud to join Rep. Miller in introducing the Weather Data Taxpayer Protection Act.”
“We have all been impacted by severe weather at some point. By seeking the input of experts from a variety of industries, this legislation is a positive step forward in ensuring the proper use of American tax dollars in one of the most unpredictable aspects of life—the weather,” said Congressman Miller.
BACKGROUND:
- Unlike weather modeling, in which the NOAA Climate Prediction Center routinely scrutinizes the accuracy of short-term and medium-term weather forecasts (often called “skill-scoring”), there is no analogous mechanism in place to assess weather-hazard or hazard-loss data and models.
- The Weather Data Taxpayer Protection Act would remedy this lack of skill-scoring and transparency by establishing a commission co-chaired by the NOAA Administrator and NIST Director and composed of members who are qualified to provide advice regarding weather risk data and models.
- Members would include representatives from State or local governments, a State regulatory entity, FEMA, USFS, a rural community organization, the insurance industry, the banking industry, non-governmental organizations, the engineering industry, and institutions of high education.
- The Commission would establish data, metadata, and service standards and specifications to validate weather risk data and models utilized or purchased from the private sector by Federal departments and agencies.
Source: press release
