Responding to the reports of disarray at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology and the Committee on Energy and Commerce took action to determine if the Center was indeed incapable of providing necessary forecasts during the hurricane season.
Rep. Nick Lampson (D-TX), Chairman of the Science and Technology Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, convened a meeting in June with the heads of NOAA and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to learn more about the Quikscat satellite controversy. A hearing on the use of the Quikscat satellite data for hurricane forecasting had already been planned.
With the escalation of the controversy at the NHC in recent days, and subsequent action by NOAA Administrator Admiral Lautenbacher to place Hurricane Center Director William Proenza on leave, the Committees determined that further information was required.
This week they asked Admiral Lautenbacher for documents and records of communications from senior NWS officials and others involved in the controversy.
Witnesses Panel I
- Mr. Bill Proenza, Director of the National Hurricane Center (NHC)
Panel II
- Dr. Robert M. Atlas, Director, Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory
- Mr. Don McKinnon, Director, Jones County Emergency Management Agency
Panel III
- Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Under Secretary for Commerce, Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
19/07/2007 at 10:00AM