Hastings Reintroduces Hurricane Research Bill

Press Release

Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) reintroduced the National Hurricane Research Initiative Act of 2011, a comprehensive hurricane research bill which will improve hurricane research dramatically in the United States. This bill authorizes funding for critical hurricane research to help scientists study and better understand how hurricanes form and intensify. It will also provide funding to enhance early warning systems, infrastructure durability standards, and hurricane tracking and prediction capabilities. The bill further authorizes funding for the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS), enabling scheduled, necessary updates to the satellites used to forecast and track severe weather systems. The Republicans cut funding for this vital program in their budget for Fiscal Year 2011.

"One of my top priorities in Congress is to ensure that our nation and the state of Florida are better prepared to respond to and mitigate the devastating impacts of hurricanes. There are currently many gaps in our knowledge of hurricanes. We have an opportunity to fill those gaps while at the same time reducing our vulnerability. With an investment into coordinated hurricane research, we can protect our property, avoid economic devastation, and save countless lives," said Hastings.

The National Hurricane Research Initiative Act of 2011 takes the general recommendations of the National Science Board (a 24-member independent advisory body to the President and Congress on national science and engineering issues) and assembles the expertise of the nation's science and engineering experts to gain a better understanding of hurricane prediction and intensity.

"It is imperative that we take all the steps possible to understand hurricane systems and diminish the impacts they have on our local communities," continued Hastings. "I am hopeful that my colleagues will also recognize the significance of this initiative and support this important bill."

Source