1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my strong and unequivocal opposition to any attempt to privatize the National Weather Service (NWS). This public institution provides free, life-saving weather data and emergency alerts to the American people, and it must remain publicly owned and operated. The NWS is not a business. It is a public good. It exists to serve everyone equally, regardless of income, ZIP code, or ability to pay. Any move to privatize or outsource its services poses serious risks to public safety, transparency, and equity. Private weather companies already rely heavily on the data generated by the NWS, but their primary goal is profit, not public service. If these companies gain control over the flow of weather alerts, we could face paywalls for critical information, delays in emergency communications, and a loss of public trust in weather and climate data—especially during hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and other extreme events that are increasing due to climate change. We have seen how privatization in other sectors has led to reduced access, higher costs, and weakened accountability. Our country cannot afford to make the same mistake with weather services. Marginalized, low-income, and rural communities often bear the brunt of extreme weather and would be disproportionately harmed. I urge you to speak out against any legislation or proposals that would weaken or dismantle the NWS or open the door to privatization. I ask that you instead support full funding and modernization of the agency so it can remain transparent, publicly accessible, and scientifically independent. My safety and the safety of my community should never be up for sale.