House Says 2012 Appropriations Act Won't Fund New NOAA Climate Service

On November 18, 2011, the President signed into law the conference version of H.R. 2112, the "Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012." In its fiscal year 2012 budget request, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had requested a reorganization of funds to establish a National Climate Service as a new entity within NOAA to provide accessible and timely scientific data and information about climate change to help people make informed business and other decisions. The Administration requested $322 million to establish the new Climate Service. The House Appropriations Committee's summary of the Act, however, clearly states that "the conference agreement does NOT include funding to establish a new NOAA Climate Service."