Overview
- OMB Director Russell Vought announced that the White House intends to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research, calling it a source of “climate alarmism” and saying vital weather work would be moved elsewhere.
- The National Science Foundation, NCAR’s primary sponsor, confirmed it has begun a review of the center’s work and will solicit community input on rescoping its functions.
- Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper placed holds on a five‑bill appropriations package to demand full NCAR funding, contributing to the Senate adjourning for the year without advancing the measure and pushing action into January.
- Scientists and state officials warn that breaking up NCAR would weaken wildfire, storm and flood forecasting and public‑safety readiness; NCAR employs about 830 staff and received roughly $123 million in core NSF funding in FY2025.
- Colorado leaders characterize the move as retaliatory and are exploring legal and political responses, while NCAR’s management and researchers say weather and climate work cannot be cleanly separated.