1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Congress cannot allow the National Center for Atmospheric Research to be sold off to the highest bidder. Weather research and forecasting is basic science that all Americans should benefit from equally, not for companies to profit from. The Senate committee has already passed a bipartisan amendment preventing NSF from transferring NCAR assets until it reports to Congress on impacts. That bill needs to pass immediately. NCAR's biggest project is its flagship climate model, which provides high resolution and far more accurate forecasts of future rainfall under global warming. Focusing this computing power on short-term weather forecasts alone would be a mistake and a loss for Americans. We need long-term climate projections to prepare for droughts, floods, and agricultural shifts that will affect every state. Congress needs to make sure that climate research stays the focus. Selling this incredible asset is going to cause experts to leave for other countries, and the US will suffer for it. NCAR's 800 scientists and engineers conduct research that serves farmers, emergency responders, and communities nationwide. Breaking it up will turn publicly funded science into profit centers where access depends on ability to pay. Congress must put a stop to it immediately.