Letter to the Hon. Jeanne Shaheen, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, and the Hon. Jerry Moran, Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies - Rosen Leads Colleagues in Calls to Help Combat Wildfires, Provide Data on Climate Change, and Expand Land Conservation Efforts

Letter

Dear Chair Shaheen and Ranking Member Moran,
As you consider the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies
Appropriations bill, we write to request $6 million for the Regional Climate Centers (RCC)
program under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This funding
will provide each of the country's six RCCs the resources it needs to provide comprehensive upto-date climate information to a wide range of stakeholders, including government agencies,
farmers, water resource managers, businesses, emergency managers, and the public.
Since its authorization in 1978, the RCC program has been collecting and distributing raw
climate data to meet the needs of its various partners. There are six Regional Climate Centers
serving the entire country located in: Nevada, Nebraska, New York, Texas, North Carolina, and
Indiana. Together, they coordinate services and products to support both national and regional
priorities. For example, the High Plains and Midwest centers serve the needs of agricultural
producers, while the Western Regional Climate Center focuses on drought and wildfire issues in
the West. All six centers have extensive outreach operations to ensure that they serve all
relevant stakeholders.
The demand for accurate climate information has skyrocketed and will only grow as we continue
to grapple with the effects of climate change. Providing $6 million for RCCs will enable them to
help communities develop mitigation and resiliency strategies.
We thank you for your consideration of this request, and look forward to working with your staff
on the FY2022 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.