U.S. House passes NOAA research bills that would benefit Am Samoa

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is informing American Samoans of two bipartisan bills that passed the U.S. House of Representatives in Tuesday votes, each supporting various NOAA service and research areas that would include American Samoa.

“These bipartisan efforts strengthen policies, services or studies nationally that would include American Samoa,” said Congresswoman Amata. “These Acts promote ocean acidification research with NOAA in coastal areas, and boost NOAA’s advanced weather model computing capabilities for forecasting and climate analysis.”

H.R. 1715, the Advanced Weather Model Computing Development Act, led by Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) with Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC), advances numerical weather and climate prediction by directing the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to collaborate on research. DOE's high-performance computing capabilities would contribute to analysis of NOAA’s weather data sets for the improvement of forecasting and climate modeling.

H.R. 676, the Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2023, led by Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) with Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.), would direct NOAA to support the efforts of coastal communities, particularly those which are underserved or rural, that face impacts of ocean acidification, and better equip them with resources. Ocean acidification can create challenging growing conditions for marine organisms, particularly those with calcium carbonate shells. This Act emphasizes improved collaboration and information sharing with coastal communities, including the Ocean Acidification Information Exchange to support data sharing, research, data, monitoring, and mitigation efforts.

REGIONAL OCEAN OBSERVATIONS GRANT

A grant for NOAA services to the region including American Samoa and surrounding waters will upgrade the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) by updating the infrastructure providing observations, such as glider, buoy, and modeling operations, water quality monitoring, and ecosystem resources.

 “Just this week, there was an earthquake in the area of Tonga, and we depend on the science of ocean observations for important data, including waves and other measurements from technology, that can lead to services or readiness,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Thank you to NOAA for their work in our region of the ocean. Thankfully, major tsunamis such as our tragic 2009 tsunami are rare, but preparations include having the best possible data and knowledge.”

This project includes $14 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Amata supported, for 11 NOAA project areas in the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) to support improved and enhanced observing systems for coasts and oceans.

The national announcement from DOC/NOAA includes the following:

 “The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring that the United States remains on the cutting edge of oceanic and freshwater research and observation,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, in the national announcement. “High quality environmental data allows decision makers across the public and private sector to prepare for severe weather events, protect against the damaging effects of climate change, and bolster coastal economies.”

"The work of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System is critical to improving safety, informing economic decisions, and protecting our environment," said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. "This significant investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will better equip our community partners to provide the highest quality ocean data and intelligence to enhance a sustainable New Blue Economy."

 “This investment is a significant opportunity to push the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System forward,” said U.S. IOOS Office Director Carl C. Gouldman. “These funds allow us to address current needs within our networks of people and technology while also preparing for future challenges, ensuring that IOOS will remain a responsive and key source of high-quality coastal data and information."

This investment enables the system to improve, expand, and modernize – reducing risk within the system and ensuring that IOOS can provide environmental intelligence to users throughout the country. Understanding current and historic ocean and Great Lakes conditions through high-quality, integrated datasets is essential to a sustainable economy working in and around the ocean, weather and climate forecasting and prediction, and preparing communities for changing conditions.