The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed two bipartisan bills aimed at modernizing the nation's weather communication and radio service. The bills, known as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio Modernization Act and the National Weather Service Communications Improvement Act, were introduced by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in May 2023 and have now been sent to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.
The NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act seeks to upgrade the outdated weather radio technology and expand radio alert coverage to reach 98-99% of the United States population. It also aims to update the National Weather Radio infrastructure and reduce reliance on copper wire transmissions, which are prone to failure due to extreme temperature changes and severe weather.
Speaking about the bills, Sen. Cantwell highlighted the importance of upgrading the National Weather Service warning technology and expanding radio alert coverage in rural and tribal communities. She said, "The threat from weather events is only increasing, especially with El Nino bringing atmospheric rivers and winter storms this season, so access to reliable, real-time alerts are more important than ever to keep their families safe and homes secure."
Sen. Cruz emphasized the need for a reliable early warning system that communicates critical information during disasters. He stated, "When severe storms take out communications systems in Texas or other states, Americans need a reliable way to learn about weather hazards."
The National Weather Service Communications Improvement Act focuses on improving the National Weather Service's internal instant messaging system and implementing a modern cloud system to accommodate more users and provide faster service.
These bills come at a crucial time as the United States has already experienced 25 weather and climate-related disaster events this year, each causing over $1 billion in damages and resulting in 482 deaths. Several communities have faced weather radio outages, leaving residents unaware of impending weather hazards.
The National Weather Service operates a nationwide network of public radio stations that broadcast weather warnings, forecasts, and emergency information 24/7. However, more than 400 National Weather Service transmitters will need to be replaced in the next five years.
Sen. Cantwell has been a strong advocate for climate change preparedness and has previously authored $3.3 billion in NOAA investments to help communities adapt to changing weather patterns. In 2022, she introduced the Fire Ready Nation Act to establish a fire weather services program within NOAA, aimed at improving wildfire response activities and providing funding for science and technologies to forecast and combat wildfires.
The passage of these bills in the Senate is a significant step towards modernizing the nation's weather communication and radio service. With the ever-increasing threat of severe weather events, it is crucial to have reliable and real-time alerts that can reach all Americans, regardless of their location. The bills now await consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives, where they have the potential to make a significant impact on the safety and security of communities across the country.
To learn more, click on this link: https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2023/12/cantwell-cruz-bills-to-modernize-nation-s-weather-radio-deliver-real-time-emergency-alerts-passes-senate
