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Proposed sequestration cuts would be a threat to important weather forecasting

by Marion C. Blakey, AIA President and CEO
Originally appeared in NewsOK, August 03, 2012

Living in “tornado alley,” Oklahomans are used to severe weather, but the 10-year cost of severe storms — some $6 billion in property damages — is still mind boggling.

In 2012, our nation is midway into a summer that's already spawned devastating storms, floods, wildfires and heat waves. It's hard to imagine a less opportune time to cut funding for national weather forecasting.

Unfortunately, that's what will happen unless Congress works with the White House to repeal mandatory budget cuts scheduled to hit federal programs in 2013. These “sequestration” cuts may lead to a $182 million reduction for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather satellite program — putting at risk the very sentinels that provide lifesaving severe weather warnings.

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