The Trump Administration’s Plan to Cut NOAA Funding and Focus on Energy Development

The Trump administration is proposing significant cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that would impact research on climate change and refocus efforts on supporting energy development in the United States. According to a draft White House budget document obtained by Reuters, the plan aims to downsize NOAA by slashing agency funding by approximately $1.67 billion, a reduction of 27%.

Proposed Changes and Impact

Under the proposal, the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, also known as NOAA Research, would be closed along with $480 million in funding for various programs, including regional climate data and information, agency research laboratories, and cooperative institutes. The plan also includes transferring responsibilities of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, housed within the Interior Department.

The proposed cuts have drawn criticism from environmental groups, who argue that reducing NOAA’s budget could leave communities vulnerable to extreme weather events, endanger ocean species, and harm commercial fisheries. Beth Lowell, an executive at Oceana, a conservation group, expressed concerns about the potential impact on millions of Americans who rely on healthy oceans for their livelihoods.

Reaction and Response

While the Trump administration has not made final funding decisions, the proposed changes have sparked debate over the future of NOAA and its role in environmental protection and research. Commerce Department officials have not yet commented on the proposal, leaving many stakeholders uncertain about the potential implications.

Despite the proposed cuts, the document indicates that some funding for programs related to severe storms, weather, and ocean exploration would be preserved. However, the focus would shift towards supporting energy development and permitting activities to align with administration priorities.

As discussions around the budget proposal continue, it remains to be seen how Congress and other stakeholders will respond to the potential restructuring of NOAA and its impact on climate research, commercial fisheries, and environmental conservation efforts.

(Reuters – Reporting by Valerie Volcovici in Washington and Nichola Groom in Los Angeles; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Bill Berkrot)