Overview
- OMB Director Russ Vought announced plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research, labeling it a source of “climate alarmism” and saying vital activities such as weather research would be moved elsewhere.
- 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 recess without advancing the measure until January.
- The National Science Foundation, NCAR’s primary sponsor, confirmed it opened a review to solicit feedback on rescoping NCAR’s functions, while center leaders and Colorado officials say details and authority remain unclear.
- Scientists and state officials warn that breaking up NCAR would impair weather forecasting, wildfire and storm prediction, aviation safety, and climate research relied on across the country.
- NCAR, founded in 1960 and managed by UCAR in Boulder, employs about 830 people and receives roughly half its budget from NSF, supporting tools and assets such as flagship models, research aircraft, and supercomputing.