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Will Continue to Support Funding For Key Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, February 09, 2006
WASHINGTON, DC - In response to President Bush’s FY 2007 budget proposal, Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD) expressed support for the inclusion of $19.3 million for the NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction in College Park, MD. The new NOAA Center will replace the National Weather Service’s World Weather Building currently located in Camp Springs, MD.
“With the continued progress of the NOAA Center in College Park, Prince George’s County is closer to seeing the completion of this state-of-the-art advanced weather operations and research facility,” Hoyer said. “The Center will not only be better suited to meet NOAA’s needs, it will ensure that our region remains an attractive destination for the best and brightest minds."
“The National Center for Weather and Climate Prediction will add to the wealth of advantages and disciplines available through the University’s research park,” said C. Dan Mote, Jr., President of the University of Maryland. “The Center’s work and its partnerships with the University of Maryland, a leader in atmospheric, climate and earth science research, will have huge impacts on almost every aspect of life, science, and the economy.”
Hoyer, one of the lead advocates for consolidating weather research facilities in College Park, has helped secure $24.7 million in federal funding for this project since FY 2001. He has also helped to coordinate and lead efforts between NOAA, the University of Maryland, and the General Services Administration.
"While I am pleased that the President’s budget recognizes the importance of the NOAA Center, I will closely scrutinize his request to make sure this project receives all the funding necessary to ensure its completion by 2008,” Hoyer said.
The NOAA Center on Climate and Weather Prediction will be a 285,000 foot building housing approximately 800 federal employees, contractors, visiting scientists, and academicians.
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