1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

The White House has announced plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado. This is dangerous, irresponsible, and puts American lives at risk. Since its founding in 1960, NCAR has served as the backbone of U.S. weather and climate science. Every day, the National Weather Service, private forecasters, airlines, farmers, utilities, water managers, and emergency responders rely on its data, models, and research. NCAR scientists pioneered technology, which revolutionized hurricane forecasting and addressed sudden violent wind events that once caused fatal aviation crashes during takeoff and landing. Through graduate fellowships, internships, workshops, and open-access modeling systems, NCAR trains meteorologists and climate scientists from across the country and around the world. The administration’s proposed “comprehensive review” threatens to hollow out this critical institution, which would undermine aviation safety, impair water and energy planning, and leave communities across our country more vulnerable to hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and extreme heat. I urge you to use your authority to block any effort to dismantle or defund NCAR, to protect its independence, and to ensure stable, long-term funding for its research and training mission.