[Senate Hearing 115-647]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
S. Hrg. 115-647
NOMINATION OF BARRY LEE MYERS
TO BE UNDER SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
FOR OCEANS AND ATMOSPHERE; AND
ADMINISTRATOR, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND
ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA),
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
=======================================================================
HEARING
BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE,
SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
__________
NOVEMBER 29, 2017
__________
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Transportation
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
JOHN THUNE, South Dakota, Chairman
ROGER F. WICKER, Mississippi BILL NELSON, Florida, Ranking
ROY BLUNT, Missouri MARIA CANTWELL, Washington
TED CRUZ, Texas AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota
DEB FISCHER, Nebraska RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, Connecticut
JERRY MORAN, Kansas BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii
DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska EDWARD MARKEY, Massachusetts
DEAN HELLER, Nevada CORY BOOKER, New Jersey
JAMES INHOFE, Oklahoma TOM UDALL, New Mexico
MIKE LEE, Utah GARY PETERS, Michigan
RON JOHNSON, Wisconsin TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin
SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois
CORY GARDNER, Colorado MAGGIE HASSAN, New Hampshire
TODD YOUNG, Indiana CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO, Nevada
Nick Rossi, Staff Director
Adrian Arnakis, Deputy Staff Director
Jason Van Beek, General Counsel
Kim Lipsky, Democratic Staff Director
Chris Day, Democratic Deputy Staff Director
Renae Black, Senior Counsel
C O N T E N T S
----------
Page
Hearing held on November 29, 2017................................ 1
Statement of Senator Sullivan.................................... 1
Prepared statement........................................... 3
Letters supporting the nomination of Barry Lee Myers for
NOAA Administrator
Statement of Senator Nelson...................................... 4
Opposition letter dated October 12, 2017 to Hon. John Thune
and Hon. Bill Nelson from Richard J. Hirn, General Counsel
and Legislative Director, National Weather Service
Employees Organization..................................... 4
Opposition letter dated October 23, 2017 from Center for
Biological Diversity, Climate Hawks Vote, ClimateTruth.org
Earthjustice, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace USA, Hip Hop
Caucus, League of Conservation Voters, Marine Conservation
Institute, Natural Resources Defense Council, Oceana
Pacific Environment, Power Shift Network, and Sierra Club.. 5
Letter dated November 27, 2017 to Hon. John Thune and Hon.
Bill Nelson from Janis Searles Jones, Chief Executive
Officer, Ocean Conservancy................................. 7
Statement of Senator Thune....................................... 75
Statement of Senator Schatz...................................... 77
Statement of Senator Markey...................................... 80
Statement of Senator Hassan...................................... 81
Statement of Senator Cortez Masto................................ 83
Statement of Senator Inhofe...................................... 85
Statement of Senator Wicker...................................... 87
Statement of Senator Udall....................................... 88
Statement of Senator Cantwell.................................... 89
Statement of Senator Duckworth................................... 90
Statement of Senator Peters...................................... 92
Witnesses
Hon. Pat Toomey, U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania.................. 11
Prepared statement........................................... 12
Barry Lee Myers, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and
Atmosphere; and Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce.................. 13
Prepared statement........................................... 15
Biographical information..................................... 16
Appendix
Response to written questions submitted to Barry Lee Myers by:
Hon. John Thune.............................................. 97
Hon. Roger F. Wicker......................................... 98
Hon. Dean Heller............................................. 98
Hon. Shelley Moore Capito.................................... 99
Hon. Bill Nelson............................................. 99
Hon. Maria Cantwell.......................................... 105
Hon. Amy Klobuchar........................................... 110
Hon. Richard Blumenthal...................................... 111
Hon. Brian Schatz............................................ 116
Hon. Edward Markey........................................... 117
Hon. Cory Booker............................................. 118
Hon. Tom Udall............................................... 119
Hon. Gary Peters............................................. 120
Hon. Maggie Hassan........................................... 123
Hon. Catherine Cortez Masto.................................. 124
NOMINATION OF BARRY LEE MYERS
TO BE UNDER SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
FOR OCEANS AND ATMOSPHERE; AND.
ADMINISTRATOR, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND.
ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA),.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
----------
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2017
U.S. Senate,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
Washington, DC.
The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:39 a.m. in
room SR-253, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. Dan Sullivan,
presiding.
Present: Senators Thune [presiding], Sullivan, Wicker,
Inhofe, Young, Nelson, Cantwell, Schatz, Blumenthal, Markey,
Udall, Booker, Duckworth, Peters, and Cortez Masto.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. DAN SULLIVAN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM ALASKA
Senator Sullivan. The hearing will come to order.
Good morning. Today we will consider the nomination of
Barry Lee Myers to serve in the important position of Under
Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. If confirmed,
Mr. Myers would serve as the Administrator of the National
Ocean and Atmospheric Administration, commonly known as NOAA,
under the Department of Commerce, and oversee what some
describe as our Nation's environmental intelligence agency.
Thank you, Mr. Myers, as well as your family for your
willingness to serve our Nation.
NOAA has a vital mission that protects life, property, and
commerce through environmental science and observation from the
sun down to the depths of the ocean. NOAA provides the American
people with daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings,
fisheries science and management, and ocean mapping and
science.
In my home State of Alaska, we are particularly dependent
upon NOAA's services. Alaska is the super power of seafood, as
I have mentioned to many of my colleagues here, accounting for
almost 60 percent of all domestic landings and more than
600,000 jobs, making the fishery industry our largest private
employer, more than oil and gas.
NOAA is the agency responsible for oversight of America's
fisheries, and I will be among those working closely with the
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to ensure
a continuing bright future for this very important segment of
the U.S. economy.
NOAA is also responsible for charting our waters, providing
accessible, timely, and accurate weather forecasting and
studying and helping keep clean our unique and treasured oceans
and natural resources, all missions of extreme importance to
the country and to my state as well.
The Administrator of NOAA oversees these vital functions of
the agency, as well as laying out its strategic and operational
future with respect to the National Weather Service, the
National Oceans Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service,
the National Environmental Satellite Data and Information
Service, the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, and
the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, which includes
NOAA's uniformed service, the NOAA Corps.
Mr. Myers comes to the position of being nominated as a
well-qualified candidate, having dedicated an entirety of his
career to the weather forecasting industry. Since 1964, Mr.
Myers has worked at the global weather forecasting and media
company, AccuWeather, which provides commercial weather
forecasting products and services to newspapers, radio, and
television stations, government agencies, companies, and third
party websites.
In 2007, he became the CEO of AccuWeather, leading the
organization to experience its largest global web and mobile
app audience growth in its history.
In addition to his current role at AccuWeather, he is a
recognized national and international authority on weather
forecasting, having testified before Congress on issues
pertaining to weather forecasting no less than four times in
his career. In fact, Mr. Myers testified before this
Committee's Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and
the Coast Guard in 2013 at a hearing entitled ``Forecasting
Success: Achieving U.S. Weather Readiness for the Long Term.''
From 2009 to 2016, Mr. Myers also served on NOAA's
Environmental Information Services Working Group, Science
Advisory Board, and in 2016, he was elected as a fellow of the
American Meteorological Society, one of the few non-scientists
ever to be elected as a fellow to this prestigious
organization.
While Mr. Myers' experience in the weather industry is
undeniably extensive, some have raised issues of concern about
his nomination on the grounds that his educational background
lies in business and law rather than science or that NOAA's
mission expands well beyond its weather forecasting mission. I
am sure that my colleagues will ask questions relating to some
of these issues.
Given Mr. Myers' proven track record of leadership, if
confirmed, he is well positioned to perform the role of NOAA
Administrator, and I want to thank him again for his desire to
serve our country.
Additionally, at the end of the last Congress, the NOAA
Sexual Assault, Harassment, and Assault Prevention Act, of
which I was the lead sponsor with many of my colleagues on this
Committee, was passed into law. We are approaching one year of
passage and the deadline for the establishment of many
provisions within the law. If confirmed, I look forward to
working with Mr. Myers for updates on where the agency stands
and any noted improvement to the culture of NOAA related to
this important issue of sexual harassment and assault
prevention that is now finally getting the attention it
deserves in the Congress.
Once again, I would like to thank Mr. Myers for testifying
today and for your willingness to serve our country.
[The prepared statement of Senator Sullivan follows:]
Prepared Statement of Hon. Dan Sullivan, U.S. Senator from Alaska
Good morning. Today we will consider the nomination of Barry Lee
Myers to serve in the important position of Under Secretary of Commerce
for Oceans and Atmosphere. If confirmed, Mr. Myers would serve as the
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) under the Department of Commerce and oversee what some describe
as our Nation's environmental intelligence agency. Thank you Mr. Myers,
as well as your family, for your willingness to serve the Nation.
NOAA has a vital mission that protects life, property, and commerce
through environmental science and observation from the sun down to the
depths of the ocean. NOAA provides the American people with daily
weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, fisheries science and
management, and ocean mapping and science.
In my home state of Alaska, we are especially dependent on NOAA's
services. Alaska is the superpower of seafood, accounting for over 50
percent of total domestic landings and more than 60,000 jobs--making
the fisheries industry our largest private employer. NOAA is the agency
responsible for the oversight of America's fisheries, and I will be
among those working closely with the Under Secretary of Commerce for
Oceans and Atmosphere to ensuring a bright future for this important
segment of the U.S. economy.
NOAA is also responsible for charting our waters, providing
accessible, timely, and accurate weather forecasting, and studying our
unique and treasured oceans and natural resources--all missions of
extreme importance to Alaska and the Nation.
The Administrator of NOAA oversees these vital functions of the
agency, as well as laying out its strategic and operational future with
respect to the National Weather Service, the National Ocean Service,
the National Marine Fisheries Service, the National Environmental
Satellite, Data and Information Service, the Office of Oceanic and
Atmospheric Research, and the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations,
which includes NOAA's uniformed service, the NOAA Corps.
Mr. Myers is a well-qualified nominee to serve as NOAA
Administrator, having dedicated the entirety of his career to the
weather forecasting industry. Since 1964, Mr. Myers has worked at the
global weather forecasting and media company AccuWeather, which
provides commercial weather forecasting products and services to
newspapers, radio and television stations, government agencies,
companies, and third-party websites. In 2007, he became the CEO of
AccuWeather, leading the organization to experience its largest global
web and mobile audience growth in its history.
In addition to his current role at AccuWeather, he is a recognized
national and international authority on weather forecasting having
testified before Congress on issues pertaining to weather forecasting
no less than four times in his career. In fact, Mr. Myers testified
before this Committee's Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries,
and Coast Guard in 2013 at a hearing entitled, ``Forecasting Success:
Achieving U.S. Weather Readiness for the Long Term.''
From 2009 to 2016, Mr. Myers also served on NOAA's Environmental
Information Services Working Group Science Advisory Board, and in 2016,
he was elected as a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society,
perhaps one of the only non-scientists to be elected as a fellow to
this prestigious organization.
While Mr. Myers' experience in the weather industry is undeniably
extensive, some have raised concerns about his nomination on the
grounds that his educational background lies in business and law rather
than science or that NOAA's mission expands well beyond its weather
forecasting mission. Given Mr. Myers' proven track record of
leadership, if confirmed, he is well positioned to perform well in this
important role.
Additionally, at the end of last Congress, the NOAA Sexual
Harassment and Assault Prevention Act, which I was the lead sponsor of,
was passed into law. We are approaching one year since passage and the
deadline for the establishment of many provisions within the law. Once
he is confirmed, I will look to Mr. Myers for updates on where the
agency stands, and any noted improvements to the culture of the agency
related to this important issue.
Once again, I would like to thank you for testifying today and for
your willingness to serve the Nation in this important post.
With that, I turn to the Ranking Member for any remarks he might
have.
Senator Sullivan. I now turn to the Ranking Member for any
remarks he might have. Senator Nelson.
STATEMENT OF HON. BILL NELSON,
U.S. SENATOR FROM FLORIDA
Senator Nelson. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. May I submit a
number of letters that have been written with regard to the
nominee for the record?
Senator Sullivan. Without objection.
[The information referred to follows:]
National Weather Service Employees Organization
October 12, 2017
Hon. John Thune,
Chairman,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Bill Nelson,
Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
Washington, DC.
RE: Nomination for Under Secretary of Commerce For Oceans and
Atmosphere (NOAA Administrator)
Dear Chairman Thune and Ranking Member Nelson:
We are writing to express our opposition to the nomination of Mr.
Barry Myers, an attorney and CEO of AccuWeather, Inc., as NOAA
Administrator. As you know, this position has traditionally been filled
by a pre-eminent scientist, and by that standard alone, Mr. Myers is
wholly unqualified for the job.
In addition to his lack of scientific qualifications and his
absence of any background in oceans, research, fisheries, environmental
satellites, which constitute a majority of NOAA's programs and budget,
Mr. Myers' nomination would present a host of conflicts of interests.
As NOAA Administrator, he would be in a position to fundamentally alter
the nature of weather services that NOAA provides the nation, to the
benefit of his family-owned business.
According to the Washington Post, ``Barry Myers, the CEO of
AccuWeather, which has long held a narrow interpretation of the NWS
mission with respect to the services it should provide.'' \1\ This
would be a fundamental policy shift, as the NWS has spent the past
several years re-tooling its operations in order to provide increased
``decision support services'' to the American public.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Jason Samenow, Storm brewing over National Weather Service
television studio, Wash. Post (April 28, 2015), https://
www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2015/04/28/storm-
brewing-over-national-weather-service-television-studio/
?utm_term=.bcee1c1d39f6
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In 2005, at AccuWeather's behest, Senator Santorum introduced
legislation that would have prohibited the National Weather Service
from providing any product or service that ``is or could be provided
by'' a private sector weather company (such as AccuWeather), other than
severe weather warnings. Instead of issuing its routine forecasts and
data sets to the public, the Act would have required that those
products be disseminated ``through a set of data portals designed for
volume access by commercial providers of products or services''
instead.\2\ In other words, the NWS would have been prohibited from
providing routine forecasts, products and services, other than a severe
weather warning, to the general public or emergency managers or the
media, but would have been required to provide these products to
``commercial providers'' so that they could market, for a profit, a
taxpayer funded and government produced service.\3\ Congress thought so
little of this proposed legislation that it did not receive a single
sponsor. However, should Mr. Myers be approved as NOAA Administrator,
he will be able to order the National Weather Service to do precisely
what his company was unable to accomplish through legislation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ See, Section 2 of National Weather Service Duties Act of 2005,
S. 786.
\3\ For an in depth explanation of the impact of the bill, see
Timothy Noah, Santorum's Mighty Wind: The Accuweather Protection Act of
2005, Slate, (Aug 2, 2005); http://www.slate.com/articles/
news_and_politics/chatterbox/2005/08/santorums_mighty_wind.html; Vince
Stricherz, Plan to privatize most forecasting would cripple weather
service, expert says, University of Washington Today (May 16, 2005),
http://www.washington.edu/news/2005/05/16/plan-to-privatize-most-
forecasting-would-cripple-weather-service-expert-says/
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This was not the only example in which Mr. Myer's company sought to
capitalize on the National Weather Service. In 2005, it was caught
using the URL name ``nationalweatherservice.org''--which brought
visitors to the AccuWeather website instead. AccuWeather was forced to
cease using this deceptive domain name.\4\ It was also recently
revealed that under Myer's leadership, AccuWeather's mobile application
had been secretly sending its user's location information to a third-
party company that markets location data for advertising purposes.\5\ A
CEO whose company engages in such deceptive practices should not be
entrusted with the responsibility to head such an important Federal
agency, whose work is only worthwhile to the American public to the
extent it can be trusted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Timothy Noah, Santorum's Mighty Wind, Part 2: If you can't lick
them, spoof them, Slate, (Sept. 27, 2005), http://www.slate.com/
articles/news_and_politics/chatterbox/2005/09/santo
rums_mighty_wind_part_2.html
\5\ https://hackernoon.com/advisory-accuweather-ios-app-sends-
location-information-to-data-mo
netization-firm-83327c6a4870
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Myer's appointment as NOAA Administrator would present a host
of additional ethics and conflicts issues. For example, in 2015 Mr.
Myers announced that his company has formed a joint venture with a
commercial weather media company owned by the China Meteorological
Administration, to provide forecasts in China. This joint venture is
the only company sanctioned by the Meteorological Law of China to
distribute the China Meteorological Administration's weather
information and forecasts via AccuWeather.\6\ He is literally in
business with the Chinese government.
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\6\ Lauren Dodillet, JV Brings Accuweather Tech to China, China
Business Review, (May 28, 2015), http://www.chinabusinessreview.com/jv-
brings-accuweather-tech-to-china/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition to AccuWeather, the Myers' family also owns ``The
Weather Prophets Fund, LLC,'' a weather-based hedge fund. In an article
describing this venture, Joel Myers, founder of AccuWeather, was quoted
as explaining how weather based hedge funds could profit from inside
information that his brother would be in a position to supply:
For example, an investment manager could benefit from knowing
just five minutes ahead of time that the National Weather
Service in Silver Spring, MD, is about to reclassify a Category
3 storm into a more powerful Category 4 storm, he said. That
could cause a spike in the price of natural gas futures on
which the manager could capitalize, Mr. Myers said.\7\
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\7\ David Hoffman, Weather Forecasting Gaining Respect in
Hurricanes' Wake, Investment News, (Oct. 3, 2005), http://
www.investmentnews.com/article/20051003/SUB/510030723/wea
ther-forecasting-gaining-respect-in-hurricanes-wake
The employees of the National Weather Service and of the other NOAA
line offices represented by NWSEO hope that the Committee will
carefully scrutinize this sordid record and ultimately reject this
nomination.
Sincerely yours,
Richard J. Hirn,
General Counsel and Legislative Director.
______
Center for Biological Diversity * Climate Hawks Vote *
ClimateTruth.org Earthjustice * Friends of the Earth *
Greenpeace USA * Hip Hop Caucus * League of Conservation
Voters * Marine Conservation Institute * Natural Resources
Defense Council * Oceana Pacific Environment * Power Shift
Network * Sierra Club
October 23, 2017
Dear Senator,
We are writing to express our concern about the nomination of Barry
Myers, the chief executive of AccuWeather, to become the next
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA). Mr. Myers has no scientific credentials or experience with many
critical parts of NOAA's mission relating to oceans and coasts; has
supported efforts to privatize many functions of the National Weather
Service (NWS) \1\ which would adversely affect its vital public safety
mission; and has personal and family financial conflicts of interests
with the work of NWS.\2\ We would urge that questions be posed to Mr.
Myers to ascertain whether he has the qualifications necessary to do
this important job, and whether the American public could be confident,
if confirmed, that he would use his public office to advance the
important science, conservation, and public safety mission of the
agency. As the Nation grapples with the catastrophic impacts of this
year's hurricane season, it seems particularly unwise to support a
candidate for NOAA Administrator who has no government experience, and
who has previously supported limiting the capabilities of NOAA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Barry Myers and his brother Joel have previously supported
legislation that would heavily restrict NWS's ability to make its data
publicly available, restricting its availability to corporations. See
this Washington Post story and this 2005 Lawrence-Journal World
article; the legislation is S. 786 of the 109th Congress. (All accessed
10/12/2017.)
\2\ Barry is currently CEO of Accuweather, a company that uses NWS
data in its commercial products. One of his brothers, Joel Myers is the
president and founder of the company. His other brother, Evan Myers, is
COO of Accuweather. All three, and Accuweather itself, are members of
the American Weather and Climate Industry Association, the weather
industry trade association. (All accessed 10/12/2017.)
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Science is the bedrock of NOAA's mission. Eleven out of twelve
previous NOAA Administrators, appointed by Republican and Democratic
presidents alike, have all held PhDs. We acknowledge that Mr. Myers, a
lawyer by training, is an accomplished businessman. We are concerned,
however, that he both lacks a scientific background and has no
experience with the many of the critical high impact issues that
comprise NOAA's work.
NOAA is the agency that is responsible for countless issues related
to our Nation's oceans and coasts, from marine commerce to fisheries
management to coastal restoration. NOAA's role in ensuring that we have
sustainable seafood and fish populations, and healthy coasts and oceans
cannot be understated.
Almost 40 percent of the country's population lives in coastal
shoreline counties. These counties contribute $6.6 trillion to the U.S.
economy.\3\ Countless communities rely on NOAA to support the
productivity and sustainability of our coasts and oceans through
science-based programs. An Administrator does not need to be an expert
in all NOAA' s programs related to oceans and coasts, but Mr. Myers
appears to have little or no experience with any of them. We urge you
to ask Mr. Myers about his approach to and commitment to NOAA's coastal
and ocean programs in detail.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ http://www.noaa.gov/oceans-coasts Accessed 10/12/17
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In the one area that Mr. Myers has a background, weather
forecasting, his background is troubling. Mr. Myers has long advocated
for essentially privatizing and monetizing for private benefit some of
the important work of the National Weather Service. It is important to
remember that NOAA was created in 1970 to bring together smaller
agencies that all focused on the oceans and the atmosphere to provide a
wide range of services to the public using shared and leveraged
resources and tools. All of NOAA's important ocean conservation and
fisheries management work relies on shared data collection networks of
satellites, ships, buoys, and sensors around the globe, and on shared
research capabilities. Mr. Myers has continued to voice the position
over the years that the private sector should take over many of these
functions, and has frequently chided NOAA officials when they develop
new products or tools that can help the public or public officials plan
and prepare for severe weather or flooding events. This view about the
role of government science and government services is disturbing and
would also be deeply disturbing if applied more broadly across NOAA's
oceans, fisheries, climate, and science portfolios. We hope you will
explore Mr. Myers intentions and obtain commitments from him, should he
be confirmed, that he will not interfere with or disable NOAA's vital
missions.
Mr. Myers' past support for limiting access to public data is
particularly concerning given that NOAA's mission is to answer
scientific questions and ``to share that knowledge and information with
others.'' \4\ For example, the agency's ``Tides & Currents'' website
\5\ provides coastal communities with the data and analyses they need
to deal with present-day coastal flooding made worse by sea level rise.
Data from Tides & Currents and NOAA's other scientific efforts are
collected at Climate.gov, the most comprehensive and authoritative
public source available of raw climate data, trends, and record-
breaking extremes. Climate.gov helps inform public understanding of
climate change, arms educators with credible and up-to-date
information, and feeds into science-based decision making at all levels
of government. We urge that you ask Mr. Myers for a firm commitment to
maintain the quality and public accessibility of Climate.gov and all of
NOAA's other important public information and data sites and services.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ http://www.noaa.gov/our-mission-and-vision
\5\ https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/sea_level_info.html
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Finally, we are also concerned that if Mr. Myers were confirmed as
NOAA Administrator he would have profound conflicts of interest.
AccuWeather is a privately held family company. Every decision Mr.
Myers would make about NOAA's organization, budget, management, and
capabilities would have the potential to enrich his family's company,
in the short term and the long term. We support NOAA's mission of
science, service and stewardship and believe that its activities should
be administered in the public interest.
We urge the Senate to carefully consider all the issues surrounding
this nominee to protect the critical work all Americans expect and need
from NOAA.
Sincerely,
Center for Biological Diversity
Climate Hawks Vote
ClimateTruth.org
Earthjustice
Friends of the Earth
Greenpeace USA
Hip Hop Caucus
League of Conservation Voters
Marine Conservation Institute
Natural Resources Defense Council
Oceana
Pacific Environment
Power Shift Network
Sierra Club
______
Ocean Conservancy
Washington, DC, November 27, 2017
Hon. John Thune,
Chair,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Bill Nelson,
Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Thune and Ranking Member Nelson:
We are writing to express our thoughts on the nomination of Barry
Myers to become the next Administrator of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an agency that has enormous impact
on the ocean and coastal environment for which Ocean Conservancy
advocates and on which people and economies depend.
The public discussion surrounding Mr. Myers' nomination has focused
largely on two areas of concern that are not directly related to oceans
and coasts: Mr. Myers' views on privatizing functions of the National
Weather Service, and his relationship with AccuWeather. Ocean
Conservancy agrees these questions deserve close scrutiny by members of
the U.S. Senate before Mr. Myers receives confirmation. But Ocean
Conservancy would like to highlight an entirely separate line of
questioning that we believe is also deserving of scrutiny: Mr. Myers'
views on the ocean and coastal issues facing our Nation.
Mr. Myers has an extensive background in the weather forecasting
business, but on matters of ocean and coastal science and management he
has no known publicly-expressed policy positions or expertise. Ocean
and coastal science and management are enormous responsibilities
carried by the NOAA Administrator and the American people deserve to
know where Mr. Myers stands on these issues. The U.S. Senate, on behalf
of all Americans, should examine Mr. Myers' beliefs, policy views,
commitment to science, and his governing philosophy on important ocean
and coastal matters before consenting to his confirmation.
In our view, here are key questions that should be posed to Mr.
Myers:
NOAA's budget--What is Mr. Myers' view on NOAA's overall
budget levels? Does he support cutting programs like Sea Grant
and the Coastal Zone Management Grants as the administration
proposed in its 2018 budget?
NOAA's conservation responsibilities--Does Mr. Myers support
and commit to carry out NOAA's statutory responsibilities
implementing the full suite of conservation laws, including the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act,
Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Coastal
Zone Management Act, and National Marine Sanctuaries Act? Does
he agree that management and conservation under those laws are
part of NOAA's core mission?
Fisheries management--Does Mr. Myers agree that overfishing
should not be allowed and that depleted fisheries should be
rebuilt? Does he agree that fisheries management decisions
should be based on the best available science? Will he commit
to opposing any actions that would undermine these core
conservation tenets?
The role of science at NOAA--Does Mr. Myers support NOAA's
current policies and principles on scientific integrity,
including those outlined under NOAA administrative order 202-
7350? Does he see a need to change those policies? Does Mr.
Myers believe that NOAA-funded scientists should ever be
excluded from advisory boards akin to the policies recently
implemented by Administrator Pruitt at the EPA?
Climate change--Does Mr. Myers concur with and stand behind
the conclusion reached by NOAA scientists that climate change
is happening, and that human-caused greenhouse gas emissions
are largely responsible? Does he consider climate change to be
a pressing problem facing the ocean, fisheries, and our coastal
communities?
Ocean acidification--Does Mr. Myers agree that ocean
acidification is a real problem that poses an immediate
economic threat to ocean and coastal industries across the
U.S.? Does he support the work of the NOAA Ocean Acidification
Program as authorized under the Federal Ocean Acidification
Research and Monitoring (FOARAM) Act?
Regional coordination on ocean management--Is Mr. Myers
committed to supporting continued implementation of Northeast
and Mid-Atlantic Ocean Plans and other regional, state/federal-
coordinated ocean management efforts?
Marine sanctuaries and monuments--What are Mr. Myers' views
on protected areas like National Marine Sanctuaries and Marine
National Monuments as a tool for ocean conservation? Does he
agree that our Nation's federally-designated ocean protected
areas should remain protected?
Arctic--Is Mr. Myers committed to continuing and building
weather, sea, and ice monitoring and forecasting capabilities
in the Arctic Ocean off Alaska? What will he do to ensure that
NOAA fulfills its mandates to protect marine mammals and other
protected marine resources in the Arctic Ocean given the
ongoing interest in offshore drilling in those waters? Is Mr.
Myers committed to continuing coordinated work with other
Federal agencies and tribes in the Arctic?
Marine debris--Does Mr. Myers agree that marine debris is a
pressing problem facing the health of our ocean? Does he
support the work of NOAA's marine debris program as well as
that of corporations, NGOs, and countless citizens, to reduce
such pollution at its source and clean up what is already
there? Does he consider this is a priority?
Gulf of Mexico restoration--How does Mr. Myers plan to keep
the multi-billion dollar oil spill restoration efforts in the
Gulf of Mexico on track? In Mr. Myers' view, what would
``success'' look like for NOAA when it comes to Gulf of Mexico
restoration?
This list of questions is a long one, but it's not exhaustive.
There are many more questions on important ocean and coastal issues
that could and should be asked.
With Texas still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Harvey,
and Florida and the Caribbean--especially Puerto Rico--still reeling
from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, NOAA's relevance to our lives has never
been more apparent.
NOAA's responsibilities are diverse and absolutely crucial to a
functioning country. NOAA not only safeguards America's fisheries and
protects iconic marine wildlife--it also conducts research that keeps
our communities safe and our ocean healthy. And from tsunami and
hurricane warnings to fisheries management, to the daily weather
forecasts you check on your phone, NOAA plays a critical role in the
lives of Americans from the coast to the heartland.
It is imperative that the Senate thoroughly vet and examine Myers'
positions on the full array of issues for which Mr. Myers would be
responsible if confirmed as NOAA Administrator. On behalf of Ocean
Conservancy, our members, and our supporters, please consider these
important ocean and coastal questions as you question the nominee and
consider his confirmation.
Sincerely,
Janis Searles Jones,
Chief Executive Officer,
Ocean Conservancy.
Senator Nelson. NOAA is one of the most popular agencies in
the Federal Government. It directly impacts the daily lives of
millions. NOAA is an agency most people are aware of because of
weather forecast and warnings, and these warnings are
distributed free of charge through the National Weather
Service.
When Irma was barreling toward Florida, it was the National
Weather Service employees, including our very significant
professional accumulation at the National Hurricane Center, who
provided the forecast to Florida's local governments and
emergency managers by using all of the assets that NOAA has,
plus additional assets.
But NOAA's mission does not just stop there. And I want to
commend NOAA because their accuracy continues to improve. The
addition of the G-4, flying at 45,000 feet over the hurricane,
dropping that sonde, or instrumented package, has improved the
accuracy of hurricane forecasts by 15 percent. But now, at even
greater accuracy are the turbo props that fly into the
hurricane dropping not just sondes, but now a sonde about this
long, and once it gets out of the fuselage of the aircraft, it
suddenly sprouts wings and its motor starts. It then flies as a
UAV on the inner wall of the hurricane, giving additional data
that we have never been able to have before.
What NOAA provides is absolutely fantastic, but the mission
does not stop there. It is responsible for sustainably managing
our Nation's fisheries, something you, Mr. Chairman, are quite
interested about with all of the fishing that occurs in Alaskan
waters. It ensures that our ships get in and out of ports. It
protects critters and corrals and habitats, and it tries to
help our coastal communities adapt to the future.
So as we have this meeting today, NOAA is carrying out
cutting-edge climate research--providing coastal communities
with flood warnings and working all over to mitigate the
harmful effects of climate change and specifically, in a place
like Florida, not only climate change but also the effects of
harmful algae blooms and corral bleaching.
And by the way, I did not tell you, Mr. Chairman, when I
was with the Coast Guard up in Alaska, I ran into a bunch of
NOAA employees up there that are doing critical research in the
Arctic habitat.
Now, Mr. Myers, I mention all of this to make a point that
it is going to be important that you truly understand the
importance of the role NOAA plays in all of our daily lives.
You have been the CEO of AccuWeather. I have talked to you
extensively in private about your role. I commend you for your
knowledge about the national weather program, and I commend you
for your successful business background.
Naturally, as I raised in our private conversations, I am
concerned about potential conflicts of interest. In 2005, you
were behind a bill sponsored by Senator Santorum of
Pennsylvania that would have prohibited the Weather Service
from offering a product or a service, ``that is or could be
provided by the private sector,'' a provision that naturally,
from your position previously as the head of AccuWeather, would
have directly benefited AccuWeather. If the bill had passed,
Americans' access to free and potentially lifesaving government
weather forecasts would have been placed at risk because if
that bill had passed, the government would be prohibited from
offering a product or service, quote--your quote--that is or
could be provided by the private sector. End of quote.
Now, that is a conflict. I talked to you in private about
this. You assured me that you were going to remove yourself
from anything having to do with AccuWeather, that even in
family conversations over the holidays, that your brother, who
would be running AccuWeather, would not discuss the business
with you, that there would be a concrete wall that you would
set up between your family's business, your former business,
and the business of the U.S. Government.
NOAA has always put protecting lives and properties of
Americans ahead of personal commercial interests. It is
obviously a concern to me as I expressed to you, and I want you
to get it out on the record today. It is a concern that your
past history with the Senator Santorum bill suggests that you
might do otherwise. I want you to clear that up in this record.
And with your family connections, your brothers at AccuWeather,
obviously there is the concern about potential conflicts of
interest. I would like you to address that directly,
unequivocally for the record here today.
We have been through part of this in another sphere. The
airlines would like to privatize air traffic control. That is
not going to happen. The airlines would like to be in control
of the air traffic control of this country, including all
military air traffic control. That is not going to happen, but
there is an effort to do that.
There has been in the past the effort by Senator Santorum,
which you supported, to privatize, in other words, to replace,
assets of the National Weather Service that could not put out a
product if there was a commercial product. If it is an
enhancement of a commercial product, that is an additional
thing from the perspective of this Senator as the Ranking
Member of this Committee.
So we must be sure that you will not have a conflict of
interest with a company owned by your brothers, previously run
by you. So we want to know how can Weather Service employees
and the public trust that you will truly refrain from involving
yourself in NOAA decisions that affect your family's company?
These are the same things that I asked you in our private
conversations. And I want you to be as direct here as you were
with me in our private conversations. These are questions that
should be put to rest before you leave today and done in a way
that your answers are clear to everyone.
Mr. Myers, what we need is a NOAA Administrator who will do
what is the very best for the American people. While I
sincerely hope that person is you, clearly it is my
responsibility to see that you come forth to hear more on how
you plan to avoid those conflicts and how you plan to safeguard
the critical mission of NOAA.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Senator Inhofe. A point of inquiry, Mr. Chairman. I see
that the Senator from Pennsylvania is here. Is he here for the
purpose of introducing the----
Senator Sullivan. Yes, and that is happening right now.
So thank you, Senator Nelson.
I now want to recognize Senator Toomey for an opening
statement to introduce the nominee. Senator Toomey.
STATEMENT OF HON. PAT TOOMEY,
U.S. SENATOR FROM PENNSYLVANIA
Senator Toomey. Thank you very much, Chairman Sullivan,
Ranking Member Nelson, members of the Committee. It is an honor
for me to introduce Barry Myers before this Committee.
Barry Myers is a highly respected and well-qualified
Pennsylvanian, and if confirmed, I think he will serve as an
outstanding Administrator of NOAA. His leadership experience in
the private sector and his institutional knowledge that he
gained while working as an advisor to the agency will both
enable him to effectively manage NOAA's diverse
responsibilities and functions which, as we all know, include
weather forecasting, fishery management, coastal conservation,
and atmospheric and oceanic research.
Specifically, Barry has a deep understanding and
appreciation of weather forecasting through his work at
AccuWeather, headquartered in State College, Pennsylvania. And
this expertise is, of course, very important because one of the
primary functions of NOAA is to oversee the National Weather
Service and support research to improve the modeling of weather
events and natural disasters.
Barry has extensive experience managing AccuWeather. As the
Chairman noted, he has served as the CEO of AccuWeather since
September 2007. I should point out that AccuWeather provides
outstanding weather forecasting services to media outlets, to
governments, to businesses, in addition to operating a website
and mobile apps for general public use. Under Barry's
leadership, AccuWeather has become one of the world's most
widely viewed and most accurate weather forecasting services.
He also has experience advising the Federal Government, as
I mentioned, an institutional knowledge of NOAA while serving
in several advisory roles. He served on NOAA's Environmental
Information Services Working Group for over 7 years, advised
the Director of the National Weather Service during two
international conferences on meteorology, and has testified
repeatedly before committees of Congress.
It is also worth pointing out that Mr. Myers has tremendous
respect of his peers in the weather community. He recently
received two very prestigious awards from the American
Meteorological Society. I think the Chairman also alluded to
those two awards.
So, Mr. Chairman, I will close by saying it is an honor for
me to be able to introduce a great Pennsylvanian, Barry Myers,
to the Committee today. He is an accomplished leader who I
believe will advance NOAA's role in oceanic and atmospheric
observation, measurement, management, and forecasting. I
believe he will be able to increase effective communications
between NOAA and the private sector and continue U.S.
excellence in weather forecasting, among the other important
roles that NOAA plays. If confirmed, I am confident that Barry
Myers will be a very successful Administrator.
I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman, for having this hearing.
Members of the Committee, thank you for allowing me to
introduce him.
[The prepared statement of Senator Toomey follows:]
Prepared Statement of Hon. Pat Toomey, U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania
Thank you Chairman Thune, Ranking Member Nelson, and Members
of the Committee
Honor to introduce Barry Myers before the Committee
Barry Myers is well qualified to serve as the next
Administrator of NOAA
He has leadership experience while at AccuWeather
NOAA oversees the National Weather Service
He has a deep knowledge and professional experience with
weather forecasting and modeling
NOAA supports atmospheric research to improve
forecasting and detect natural disasters
Manages our Nation's environmental satellites
He has a deep understanding of NOAA while serving the agency
in several advisory positions
Leadership at AccuWeather
Has served as CEO of AccuWeather since September 2007
Previously held other leadership positions, including
Executive VP, General Counsel, and CFO
AccuWeather provides weather forecasting services to media
outlets, governments, and businesses, in addition to operating
a free website and mobile apps for average consumers
Under Barry's leadership, AccuWeather has become one of the
world's most viewed and most accurate weather forecast services
Experience advising Federal Government
Served on NOAA's Environmental Information Services Working
Group for over 7 years
Advised the Director of the National Weather Service during
two international conferences (2001, 2008)
Testified before Senate and House committees on private and
government weather forecasting
Respect of peers in weather community
Received two awards from the American Meteorological
Society, nation's top meteorological organization
Awarded in 2015 for his leadership in the weather industry
and fostering strong cooperation between private and government
weather services
Elected as a Fellow in 2016 for his contributions to the
atmospheric and oceanic sciences
An honor typically reserved for highly accomplished
scientists
Closing
It is an honor to introduce Barry Myers to the Committee
today
Individual who will
Improve U.S. weather modeling
Improve coordination between NOAA and the private
sector
If confirmed, I believe Barry will succeed in his new
position with NOAA
Look forward to his testimony
Thank Chairman Thune and Members of the Committees
Senator Sullivan. Thank you, Senator Toomey, very much for
that outstanding introduction.
Senator Nelson has one additional comment.
Senator Nelson. Mr. Chairman, I have a conflict that I have
to go to see another Senator, and I would ask that Senator
Schatz stand in as the Ranking Member.
Senator Sullivan. Without objection.
Mr. Myers, welcome again. The floor is yours for your
opening statement, sir.
STATEMENT OF BARRY LEE MYERS,
TO BE UNDER SECRETARY OF COMMERCE FOR
OCEANS AND ATMOSPHERE; AND ADMINISTRATOR,
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
(NOAA), DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Mr. Myers. Chairman Sullivan, Senator Schatz--and I would
like to thank Senator Toomey. He will not hear me thank him,
but for his gracious opening. Honorable members of the
Committee, thank you for the privilege of allowing me to appear
today and answer your questions about my nomination.
As noted, we have met before. I have worked with many of
you over the past 4 years in support of the weather bill signed
in April by the President that addressed important operational
and research issues. I was privileged to testify before this
committee in those regards.
And if confirmed, I pledge to carry out the wishes of
Congress with vision, accountability, and effective management
for the public good. I will ensure that the agency is staffed
with top management, top scientists, and talented, experienced
and capable people.
If confirmed, I promise to work with you on the issues that
matter for the agency, the Congress, and the Nation.
Despite hardship, I have lived the American dream. My
family started with little in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
During my early life, my father was a union shop steward at an
RCA factory making radar units for the war effort. After the
war, he started a small business.
When I was 16, my mother had surgery that threatened her
life and our family finances, as we had no health insurance.
When I was 19, my father, burdened by mother's illness and
health costs, committed suicide and left our family deeply in
debt. Our house was foreclosed, and we were evicted. Only our
uncle's charity kept a roof over our heads. We survived with
the help of government surplus food. In fact, I still remember
those huge blocks of cheese and large jars of peanut butter
that we received off the back of a distribution truck.
My brothers and I worked hard, secured student loans,
earned scholarships, and later started a company around a
kitchen table. That company, AccuWeather, a science and
technology company, is now the world's leader at what it does,
serving weather information to about 2 billion devices in the
hands of people everywhere on Earth.
When I was asked to serve as NOAA Administrator, I saw the
opportunity as a way to repay my country. I have traveled the
world and while opportunity certainly exists elsewhere, mine is
truly an American story.
Some have asked about my ability to serve because I have
had the success and I own a partial interest in this company.
They are right to ask.
The answer is that my wife and I will resign from every
company, board, and organization that could be in conflict with
my new role. We have also agreed to sell all of our ownership
interests, shares and options, in AccuWeather and all related
companies.
There will be a complete separation. That is the only way I
would do this. I will have no allegiance elsewhere. If
confirmed, I will be joining a new team--I will be joining the
NOAA team. My interests will be solely those of the American
people and the Nation about which I am so passionate.
I started my college career as a meteorology student but
left school to help my father in his business before he died. I
returned as a student in economics and business administration
and then went on to law school. After that, I spent 2 years in
post-doctoral work at Penn State's Center for Air Environment
Studies while also working on a master's degree in
organizational behavior and management science.
I have a passion for science. I lead a successful company
based on science. I know how to bring people together to
accomplish great things. Science integrity has been a core
value for me and the central component in the success of the
company that I have led. If I am confirmed, it will always be
in the headlights of NOAA moving forward.
Wherever I go, I hear what you hear. We need better weather
models. We need better research to operations. We need to
ensure continuity and cost control of our satellite programs.
We need scientifically enhanced management of our fisheries. We
need to address our seafood trade imbalance. We need efficient
science-based processes for permitting and environmental
review. We need to serve our ports' charting and research
needs, but we have aging vessels and tight fiscal environments.
We need to ensure quality weather and climate research and its
availability to all. We need to improve tornado and hurricane
warnings. We need initiatives in licensing emerging commercial
data sources. We need to work cooperatively with the research
and academic communities and the weather industry. These are my
priorities. I believe they are your priorities.
Science is nonpartisan, and I believe together we can make
great strides in each of these areas through quality
management, strategic partnerships, and leveraging the talent,
expertise, and passion of the NOAA team.
I have the experience, the know-how, and the ability to do
the job for which I have been nominated and I believe do it
well.
Thank you again for inviting me here today. I am eager and
excited at the prospect of working with you to make NOAA, in
the words of the National Research Council, second to none.
Thank you.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr.
Myers follow:]
Prepared Statement of Barry Lee Myers to be Under Secretary of
Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere; and Administrator, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce
Chairman Thune, Ranking Member Nelson, honorable members of the
Committee, thank you for the privilege of allowing me to appear today
to answer your questions about my nomination.
We've met before. I worked with many of you over the past four
years to support the Weather Bill, signed in April by the President,
that addressed such important issues as: improved tornado and hurricane
warnings, research to operations, data from commercial satellites,
seasonal and inter-annual forecasts, hurricane hunter plane backup, and
the reauthorization of the tsunami program.
I was privileged to testify before this committee in those regards.
If confirmed as NOAA Administrator, I pledge to carry out the
wishes of Congress with vision, accountability and effective
management--for the public good. I will ensure that the agency is
staffed with top management and scientists and with talented,
experienced and capable people.
If confirmed, I promise to work with you on the issues that matter
for the agency, the Congress, and the Nation.
Despite hardship, I have lived the American dream. I started with
little, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During my early life my father,
unable to serve in the military during World War II due to a childhood
disability, was a union shop steward at an RCA factory making radar
unit for the war effort and after the war, later started a small
business.
When I was 16, my mother had surgery that threatened her life and
our family finances; as we had no health insurance. When I was 19, my
father, burdened by my mother's illness and health costs, committed
suicide and left the family deeply in debt. Our house was foreclosed;
and we were evicted. Only our uncle's charity kept a roof over our
heads. We survived with the help of government surplus food. I still
remember those huge blocks of cheese and giant jars of peanut butter
that we received from the back of a distribution truck.
My brothers and I worked hard, secured student loans and earned
scholarships, and later started a company around a kitchen table. That
company--AccuWeather, a science and technology company--is now the
world's leader at what it does, serving weather information to about 2
billion devices in people's hands, virtually everywhere on earth.
When I was asked to serve as NOAA Administrator, I saw the
opportunity as a way to repay my country and ``pay it forward'' to help
others. I have travelled the world, and while opportunity exists
elsewhere, mine is truly an American story.
Some have asked about my ability to serve because I have had this
success and I own a minority interest of this company. They are right
to ask.
The answer is that I have agreed with the Office of Government
Ethics that my wife and I will resign from every company, board and
organization that could be in conflict with my new role. We have also
agreed to sell ALL of our ownership interests--shares and options--in
AccuWeather and all related companies.
There will be a compete separation from the company. It is the only
way I would do this. My Ethics Agreement goes beyond the usual legal
requirements. As a result, I will have no allegiance elsewhere.
If confirmed, I will be joining a new team--I will be joining the
NOAA Team.
My interests will be solely those of the American people, and the
Nation I feel so passionately about, because of the opportunities I
have had.
I started my college career as a meteorology student, but left
school to help my father in his business before he died. I returned as
a student in economics and business administration and then went to law
school. After that I spent two years in post-doctoral work at Penn
State's Center for Air Environment studies as both a Pennsylvania
Science and Engineering Fellow and a U.S. Public Health Service Air
Pollution Fellow.
I am not a scientist, but I have a passion for science and I am a
leader of scientists.
I lead a successful company full of scientists and engineers. I
know how to bring people together to accomplish great things.
I believe this is why I was honored over the past two years by the
world's preeminent, scientific, meteorologic and hydrologic
organization--the American Meteorological Society--first, in their
words ``For outstanding, highly principled leadership of the American
weather industry over five decades and fostering strong cooperation
between private sector and government weather services''.
As I said, those are their words, not mine.
And then the next year that organization awarded the high honor
normally reserved for highly accomplished scientists--being named a
Fellow of the American Meteorological Society.
Scientific integrity has been a core value for me and the central
component in the success of the company I have led. It will always be
in the headlights of NOAA moving forward, if I am confirmed.
I will provide the vision, leadership, and strategies to do that at
NOAA. Wherever I go, I hear what you hear:
We need better weather models.
We need better research to operations.
We need to ensure continuity and cost-control of our satellite
programs. We need scientifically-enhanced management of our fisheries.
We need to address our seafood trade imbalance.
We need efficient science-based processes for permitting and
environmental review.
We need to serve our port and research needs, but we have aging
vessels in a tight fiscal environment.
We need to ensure quality weather and climate research and its
availability to all.
We need to improve tornado and hurricane warnings.
We need initiatives in licensing emerging commercial data sources.
We need to work cooperatively with the research and academic
communities and the weather industry.
These are my priorities. I believe these are your priorities.
Science is non-partisan and I believe together we can make great
strides in each of these areas through quality management, strategic
partnerships, and leveraging the talent, expertise and passion of the
NOAA team.
I have the experience, know-how and ability to do the job for which
I have been nominated--and do it well.
Thank you again for inviting me here today. I look forward to
answering your questions. When we are done, I request your support.
I am eager and excited at the prospect of working with you to make
NOAA--in the words of the National Research Council--Second to None.
______
a. b10graphical information
1. Name: (Include any former names or nicknames used): Barry Lee
Myers.
2. Position to which nominated; Under Secretary for Oceans and
Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce
3. Date of Nomination: October 11, 20l7.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):
Residence: Information not released to the public.
Office: AccuWeather, Inc., 385 Science Park Road, State
College, PA 16803.
5. Date and Place of Birth: July 20, 1943; Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania.
6. Provide the name, position and place of employment for your
spouse (if married) and the names and ages of your children (including
stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).
Spouse: Holly Ellen Myers, Director of Executive Projects,
AccuWeather, Inc.
Children: Carla Franklin Myers, 47; Joseph Franklin Myers, 42;
Rebekah Franklin Myers, 40.
Stepchildren: Erik Anderson Larson, 28; Blair Ainsley Larson,
25.
7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.
The Pennsylvania State University, Smeal College of
Business, Master of Science, (ABD) Management Science and
Organizational Behavior, 1972
Boston University School of Law, J.D., 1970
The Pennsylvania State University, Smeal College of
Business, B.S., Economics and Business Administration, 1967
8. List all post-undergraduate employment, and highlight all
management-level jobs held and any non managerial jobs that relate to
the position for which you are nominated.
AccuWeather, Inc., 1964 to present. Chief Executive Officer
[previously Executive Vice President, General Counsel and CFO];
Member of the Board of Directors and Secretary of the
Corporation
Boutique law practice specializing in land use and
development, real estate, and environmental law, 1970-1990
The Pennsylvania State University, Smeal College of
Business, Graduate School Faculty, 1974-1990
The Pennsylvania State University, Smeal College of
Business, Associate Professor of Business Law (Tenured), 1978-
1990
The Pennsylvania State University, Program Committee of the
Graduate Program in Regional Planning, 1973-1982
The Pennsylvania State University, Center for the Study of
Environmental Policy, 1972 1980
The Pennsylvania State University, Smeal College of
Business, Assistant Professor of Business Law, 1973-1978
The Pennsylvania State University, Smeal College of
Business, Lecturer in Business Law, 1972-1973
The Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania
Health Research Institute, Center for Air Environment Studies,
Pennsylvania Science and Engineering Fellow, 1971-1972
The Pennsylvania State University, Center for Air
Environment Studies, U.S. Public Health Service Air Pollution
Fellowship, 1970-1971
9. Attach a copy of your resume.
See attached Curriculum Vitae.
10. List any advisory, consultative, honorary, or other part-time
service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other
than those listed above, within the last ten years.
Environmental Information Services Working Group, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Science Advisory Board
(SAB), May 2009-December 2016.
Advisor to Dr.. John L. Hayes, Director of the National
Weather Service, at World Meteorological Organization Meetings;
Geneva, Switzerland--June 2008
11. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,
partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any
corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise,
educational, or other institution within the last ten years.
Please see OGE Form 278e for information related to positions at
AccuWeather, Inc., and its subsidiaries and related companies:
AccuWeather Acquisition Sub, Inc.
AccuWeather Holdco Inc.
AccuWeather Canada, Inc.
AccuWeather Enterprise Solutions, LLC
AccuWeather International, LLC
AccuWeather Intl., LLC
AccuWeather Sales and Service, LLC
Sky Motion Research, ULC, Canada
MWX Services, Inc. (dissolved 2017)
Perfect Date, Inc. (dissolved 2017)
Locator IP, LP, and its General Partner Mirror Management
Two, LLC
User-Centric IP, LP, and its General Partner Mirror
Management One, LLC
Member of the Board, American Weather and Climate Industry
Association
Founding Member, Huafeng/AccuWeather, Joint Venture, Beijing,
China, 2015
Consultant, Westside Village I LLC
12. Please list each membership you have had during the past ten
years or currently hold with any civic, social, charitable,
educational, political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or
religious organization, private club, or other membership organization.
Include dates of membership and any positions you have held with any
organization. Please note whether any such club or organization
restricts membership on the basis of sex, race, color, religion,
national origin, age, or handicap.
Economic Club of New York, 2011-present
Chamber of Business and Industry for Centre County, CEO
Group Member, 2008-prcsent
American Weather and Climate Industry Association (Board
Member, Government Relations Officer), 1990-present
American Meteorological Society, 2001-present
International Association of Broadcast Meteorologists, 2001-
present
National Weather Association, 2001-present
American Bar Association, 1968-present
The Pennsylvania State University Alumni Association, life
member
Centre County Bar Association, Centre County, PA, 1976-
present
Pennsylvania Bar Association, 1975-present
Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Member of the Bar, 1975-present
Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, Member of the Bar,
1980-present
United States Supreme Court, Member of the Bar, 1980-present
To the best of my knowledge and belief, none of the organizations
listed restrict membership on the basis of sex, race, color, religion,
national origin, age, or handicap.
13. Have you ever been a candidate for and/or held a public office
(elected, non-elected, or appointed)? If so, indicate whether any
campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and whether you are
personally liable for that debt.
I have never been a candidate for nor have I held an elected public
office. As discussed above, from May 2009 through December 2016 I was
on the Environmental Information Services Working Group of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Science Advisory Board (SAB).
14. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
entity of $500 or more for the past ten years. Also list all offices
you have held with, and services rendered to, a state or national
political party or election committee during the same period.
I have not held any offices with or rendered services to a state or
national political party or election committee in the last 10 years. To
the best of my knowledge and belief, the following are my applicable
political contributions:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date Recipient Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/11/2007 Friends of John Peterson $800
9/29/2007 Friends of John Peterson $1,000
6/27/2008 Friends of Glenn Thompson $1,000
9/30/2009 Friends of Glenn Thompson $500
3/03/2011 Bob Brown (Montana Gubernatorial $500
Candidate)
1/31/2012 Romney for President, Inc. $1,000
10/10/2016 Friends of Pat Toomey $500
10/10/2016 Friends of Glenn Thompson $500
10/21/2016 Donald J. Trump For President, Inc. $500
------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. List all scholarships, fe11owships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements.
See attached CV. Highlights include:
Elected Fellow of the American Meteorological Society,
American Meteorological Society 96th Annual Meeting, New
Orleans, January 2016
The Kenneth C. Spengler Award for 2015, American
Meteorological Society 95th Annual Meeting, Phoenix, January
2015, ``For outstanding highly principled leadership of the
American weather industry over five decades and fostering
strong cooperation between private sector and government
weather services.''
Grant from the General Electric Foundation and the U.C.L.A.
Graduate School of Management to participate in the conference
of ``Business in Its Environment'' held at the U.C.L.A.
Graduate School of Management, Los Angeles, July/August 1976
Pennsylvania Science and Engineering Fellow, Center for Air
Environment Studies, The Pennsylvania State University and the
Pennsylvania Health Research Institute, 1971-1972
U.S. Public Health Service Air Pollution Fellowship, Center
for Air Environment Studies, The Pennsylvania State University,
1970-1971
Beta Gamma Sigma (Business Administration Honor Society),
1976-present
Omicron Delta Epsilon (Economics Honor Society), 1967-
present
Pi Gamma Mu (Social Science Honor Society), 1966-present
16. Please list each book, article, column, or publication you have
authored, individually or with others. Also list any speeches that you
have given on topics relevant to the position for which you have been
nominated. Do not attach copies of these publications unless otherwise
instructed.
See full CV.
Speeches
2017 AMS Washington Forum, ``Environmental Data Paradigm:
The Future of Foundational Weather Data that Drives the
Enterprise,'' Panelist; Washington, D.C.--May 4, 2017
National Academy of Sciences' Board on Atmospheric Sciences
and Climate workshop, Speaker; Washington, D.C.--December 2016
B20/G20 Summit, U.S. Delegate; Hangzhou, China--August/
September 2016
Testimony Before the House Committee on Science, Space and
Technology, Subcommittee on Environment; Private Sector Weather
Forecasting; Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.--June 2016
Global Innovator Conference 2015 and APEC Young
Entrepreneurs' Summit--Keynote speaker; Beijing, China--
September 2015
Publishers Insiders Summit, Keynote Interview; Chicago, IL--
May 2015
Media Insider Conference, Key Note Speaker; Key Largo, FL--
April/May 2015
C-Suite Conference, Speaker; Marina Del Rey, CA--November
2014
Licensing Executives Society, Speaker; San Francisco, CA--
October 2014
Multichannel On-Demand Summit, Speaker; New York City, NY--
June 2014
Licensing Executives Society (LES)--IP 100 Forum Panelist;
Chicago, IL--May 2014
Testimony before the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere,
Fisheries, and Coast Guard; Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation; United States Senate; A Hearing on: Forecasting
Success: Achieving U.S. Weather Readiness for the Long Term--
December 12, 2013
Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Environment of the
Committee on Science, Space and Technology, Restoring U.S.
Leadership in Weather Forecasting--May 23, 2013
Millersville College--American Meteorological Society
Chapter, Keynote Speaker--May 3, 2013
Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) SM2, Speaker; New York
City, NY--October 1-2, 2012
American Meteorological Society--Status of the NOAA FYB
Budget Request Session Panelist; Washington, D.C.--April 12,
2012
``Status of the NOAA FY13 Budget Request''--Speaker,
American Meteorological Society Washington Forum; Washington,
D.C.--April 10, 2012
``Entrepreneurship--My Story; Delta Sigma Pi at Smeal
College, Speaker; The Pennsylvania State University, University
Park, PA--April 2, 2012
``Coordinating Severe Weather Warnings Between the Public
and Private Sectors'', Speaker, National Weather Service
Partners Meeting; New Orleans, LA--January 26, 2012
``Welcome Speech'', AWCIA event at the American
Meteorological Society; New Orleans, LA--January 2012
``Mobile Weather: Opportunity and Challenge'', Speaker,
American Meteorological Society Summer meeting; Boulder, CO--
August 2011
``Wireless Weather Services--National Weather Service and
Weather Enterprise Roles'' Speaker, Forum of Wireless Weather
Services; Washington, D.C.--June 28, 2011
``Entrepreneurship--Our Story''--Speaker, Young Presidents
Organization; State College, PA-March3,2010
``Welcome Speech--American Cancer Society''; State College,
PA--August 2, 2008
``Beyond Climatology--Looking Toward the Future,'' Speaker,
Weather Derivatives Seminar; New York City, NY--October 23,
2007
National Council of Industrial Meteorologists Annual Meeting
presenter; San Antonio, TX--January, 15, 2007
The Weather Coalition panelist regarding the future course
of the industry-academic-government relations; San Antonio,
TX--January 15, 2007
``Welcome Speech--Annual CWSA Reception at AMS''; San
Antonio, TX--January 14, 2007
``The Impact of Legislation on Broadcast Meteorologists''
Speaker, National Weather Association Annual Meeting; St.
Louis, MO--October 17, 2005
``Weather and Climate Enterprise Panel Discussion.''
American Meteorological Society Corporate Forum; Washington,
D.C.--March 15, 2004
Press Conference with Congressman John Peterson (R-PA)
regarding the Punxsutawney Weather Center; Washington, D.C.--
December 17, 2004
``Discriminatory Information and Competitive Practices of
the National Weather Service.'' The Annual Meeting of the
Commercial Weather Services Association; Kansas City, MO--July
20, 2002
``The Fair Activities Inventory Reform Act of 1998, 0MB
Circular A-76 and other Federal Law as it relates to Policies
and Practices of the National Weather Service,'' AMS Corporate
Forum; Washington, D.C.--March 3-4, 2002
``The Policy Implications of International Treatment of
Meteorological Data and Its Impact on Forecasts, Warnings, and
Commercial Weather Industry Development,'' World Federation of
Scientists, 26th Session of the International Seminars on
Planetary Emergencies & Associated Meetings; Erice, Italy--
August 19-25, 2001
``The Latest Information on International Weather Data
Exchange'' Commercial Weather Services Association Conference;
Washington, D.C.--May 19,1998
Forum on International Weather Data Exchange, U.S.
Delegation member; Paris, France--May 14, 1998
``Single Source and Accreditation for Public Warnings Under
WMO Resolution 40'' Forum on International Data Exchange;
Paris, France--May 14, 1998
``North American Perspective on WMO Resolution 40.'' Forum
on International Data Exchange; Long Beach, CA--February 2,
1997
``Testimony of the Commercial Weather Services
Association.'' Co-presenter. Subcommittee on Energy and
Environment, U.S. House of Representatives; Washington, D.C.--
February 21, 1995
``Round Table Discussion on Conference Results and
Recommendations.'' Conference on the Economic Benefits of
Meteorological and Hydrological Services. World Meteorological
Organization; Geneva, Switzerland--September 23, 1994
``Specific Investigations of Social and Economic Benefits
Obtained from Services and Customers in Specific Sectors:
Chairman of the Session.'' Conference on the Economic Benefits
of Meteorological and Hydrological Services. World
Meteorological Organization; Geneva, Switzerland--September 22,
1994
``'Benefits for End Users Derived from NMHS's and the
Private Sector Collaborating to Provide Services to Meet their
Needs: Round Table Discussion.'' Conference on the Economic
Benefits of Meteorological and Hydrological Services. World
Meteorological Organization; Geneva, Switzerland--September 22,
1994
``Benefits to End Users of NMHS/Private Sector
Collaboration: The U.S. Model and Its Implications.''
Conference on the Economic Benefits of Meteorological and
Hydrological Services. World Meteorological Organization.
Keynote Speaker; Geneva, Switzerland--September 22, 1994
Specific Investigations of Social and Economic Benefits
Obtained from Services to Customers in Specific Sectors:
Chairman of the Session. Conference on the Economic Benefits of
Meteorological and Hydrological Services. World Meteorological
Organization; Geneva, Switzerland--September 21, 1994
``Legal Problems and Solar Development.'' The Sound of
Progress. Penn State Radio--June 1, 1979
``Community Legal Concerns Related to Solar Development.''
The Sound of Progress. Penn State Radio--November 3, 1978
``Solar Technology and Legal Problems.'' The Sound of
Progress. Penn State Radio--September 12, 1978
``Planning, the Environment and the Law.'' Man-Environment
Relations Club. The Pennsylvania State University--December 6,
1977
``The Taking Issue of Land Use Controls.'' Zoning and
Community Land Use Management Techniques In-Service Education.
A Continuing Education Program sponsored by the College of
Agriculture. The Pennsylvania State University--September 9,
1977
``Legal Problems in Solar Energy.'' Annual National Meeting
of the American Business Law Association; Miami Beach, FL--
August 25, 1977
``Energy Implications of Major Oil Company Divestiture.''
State of the Weather/Shape of the World. WPSX--July 19, 1977
``Problems with the Federal Flood Insurance Program.'' State
of the Weather/Shape of the World. WPSX--February 17, 1977
The Environment, The Law and You.'' Eco-Action Meeting;
University Park, PA--October 25, 1976
``Technology, Energy and Social Concerns and Impacts.''
Chairman of the Session. Conference on Business and its
Environment; U.C.L.A. Graduate School of Management, Los
Angeles, CA--July 28, 1976
``Flood Controls.'' State of the Weather/Shape of the World.
WPSX--July 21, 1976
``Flood Insurance: The Legal Tide Rises Again.'' Mid-
Atlantic Regional Meeting of The American Business Law
Association; University of Delaware, Newark, DE--April 2, 1976
``Legal Controls in Flood-Prone Communities.'' Natural
Disasters Seminar Series; The Pennsylvania State University--
October 3, 1974
``National Environmental Policy Art.'' State of the Weather/
Shape of the World. WPSX--October 23, 1973
``Federal Land Use Planning Legislation.'' Participant in
Environmental Workshop. Center for the Study of Environmental
Policy; The Pennsylvania State University--October 16, 1973
``Legal Aspects of Land Use Controls in Flood Prone Areas.''
Pine Creek Task Force, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Resources--October 10, 1973
``Environmental-Legal Problems in the Pine Creek
Watershed.'' Pine Creek Task Force, Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Resources--July 11,1973
``Land Use Doctrines and Environmental Problems.''
Department of Geography Graduate Seminar; The Pennsylvania
State Uuiversity--January 19, 1973
``Federal Flood Insurance.'' State of the Weather/Shape of
the World, WPSX--November 27, 1972
``Environmental-Legal Problems in the Pine Creek
Watershed.'' State of the Weather/Shape of the World, WPSX--
Novcmbcr 15, 1972
``Motivating Business Organizations to Attach Their Air
Pollution Problems.'' Air Pollution Seminar Series, Center for
Air Environment Studies, Institute for Science and Engineering;
The Pennsylvania State University--November 6, 1971
``Private Legal Remedies for Air Pollution Problems.'' Air
Pollution Seminar Series, Center for Air Environment Studies,
Institute for Science and Engineering; The Pennsylvania State
University--May 4, 1971
Publications
International Seminar on Nuclear War--26th Session--2001,
Climate Changes--Global Monitoring of the Planet The Policy
Implications of International Treatment of Meteorological Data
and its Impact on Forecasts, Warnings, and Commercial Weather
Industry Development, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd;
Singapore; River Edge, NJ; London
Washington Post, Letter to the Editor, Weathering Disasters,
August 17, 2001
Levin, J. and Barry Lee Myers. 1987. Systematic Design of
Earth Science Instructional Modules Utilizing Real-Time
Databases. The Earth Scientist. (Fall)
Abrams, E., Levin, .J., and 'Barry Lee Myers. 1987.
Classroom Information Databank for Science Educators.
Proceedings National Science Supervisors Association Science
Leadership Institute
Barry Lee Myers & Myers, J. N. 1985. ``New Technology and
the Presentation of Weather.'' RTNDA Communicator. December
Barry Lee Myers & Myers, J. N. 1984. ``Reliable Forecast: A
Must for Efficient Cost-Effective Snow Removal.'' The
Pennsylvania Township News. Vol. 35, No. 9, September, pp 26-30
Barry Lee Myers, 1982. ``The Private Forecaster's Role in
Snow Fighting.'' Public Works Journal, vol. 112, No. 11, pp.
54-56, November
Barry Lee Myers, 1978. ``Pennsylvania: Prime Target for
Uninsured Flood Loss.'' Department of Public Information, The
Pennsylvania State University
Barry Lee Myers, and J. K. Rubin. 1978. ``Comp]ying with the
Flood Disaster Protection Act.'' Real Estate Law Journal, Vol.
7 (2), pp 114-131
Barry Lee Myers, 1978. ``The Common Law of Solar Access: An
Insufficient Protection for Users of Solar Energy.'' Real
Estate Law Journal, Vol. 6, (Spring), pp. 320-322. Reprinted in
Solar Engineering, and Ecolibrium (Fall)
Barry Lee Myers, 1978. ``So]ar Access in Residential
Developments.'' The Practical Lawyer, Vol. 24, No. 2, (March),
pp. 13-20
Barry Lee Myers, 1978. ``The American View on Awarding
Attorney's Fees--The Alaskan Pipeline Cases.'' Business Law--
Issues am/Concepts. pp. 69-78
Barry Lee Myers, 1977. ``Legal Problems in Solar Energy Use:
A Look Back at the Right to Light.'' Selected Papers of the
American Business Law Association National Proceedings. pp.
504-518
Barry Lee Myers, 1976. ``Flood Insurance: The Legal Tide
Rises Again or what Happens When You Put a Wolf in Sheep's
Clothing.'' Law and the Management Process: Recent Legal
Developments and Teaching Methods. pp. 67-79
Barry Lee Myers, 1976. ``Flood Disaster Protection Act of
1973.'' American Business Law Journal, Vol. 13, (Winter), pp.
315-333
Barry Lee Myers, 1976. ``American Land Planning Law--Review
of the Five Volume Work by Norman Williams, Jr.'' American
Business Law Journal, Vol. 14, (Fall), pp. 277-279
Barry Lee Myers, 1976. Flood Insurance: The Legal Tide Rises
Again or What Happens When You Put a Wolf in Sheep's Clothing.
The Center for the Study of Environment Policy. The
Pennsylvania State University. March
Barry Lee Myers, & Myers, J. N. 1974. ``How Users Benefit
from Private Weather Forecasts.'' Rural and Urban Roads. vol.
12, No. 6, June, p. 17
Barry Lee Myers, 1974. Selected Legal Issues Associated with
Planning Land Uses in a Riverine Area. The Center for the Study
of Environmental Policy. The Pennsylvania State University.
April
Barry Lee Myers, & Myers, J. N. 1974. ``Rain or Snow, It
Pays to Know.'' Public Works Magazine. January, pp. 48-50
Barry lee Myers, et a]. Legal Problems Associated with
Planning Land Uses in a Riverine Area, University Park, Pa: The
Center for the Study of Environmental Policy. 207 pp. March
Barry Lee Myers, & Myers, J, N., 1973. ``Snow Warning, How
Private Meteorologists Help.'' Cities and Villages. Columbus,
Ohio. Vol. 21, No. 12, December, pp. 9-10. Reprinted in Ohio
County Engineering News, February
Barry Lee Myers, & Myers,, J. N. 1972. ``How Private
Meteorologists Help.'' The Pennsylvania, October, p. 25.
Reprinted in Cities and Villages, Vol. 21, No.. 12, December,
pp. 9-10. Reprinted in Ohio County Engineering News, February,
1973
17. Please identify each instance in which you have testified
orally or in writing before Congress in a governmental or non-
governmental capacity and specify the date and subject matter of each
testimony.
Testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space
and Technology, Subcommittee on Environment, Private Sector
Weather Forecasting: Assessing Products and Technologies, June
8, 2016
Testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans,
Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, A Hearing on:
Forecasting Success: Achieving U.S. Weather Readiness for the
Long Term, December 12, 2013
Testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space
and Technology, Subcommittee on Environment, Restoring U.S.
Leaders/tip in Weather Forecasting, May 23, 2013
Co-presenter before the U.S. House Committee on Science,
Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, Testimony of the
Commercial Weather Services Association, February 21, 1995
18. Given the current mission, major programs, and major
operational objectives of the department/agency to which you have been
nominated, what in your background or employment experience do you
believe affirmatively qualifies you for appointment to the position for
which you have been nominated, and why do you wish to serve in that
position?
My entire life's work has provided the background that
affirmatively qualifies me for appointment to the position as NOAA
Administrator. I come with a deep immersion in science, although I am
not a scientist. I am one of the few, and possibly the only, non-
scientist to be made a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society
(AMS). And I have been honored by the AMS separately for ``outstanding,
highly principled leadership of the American weather industry over five
decades and fostering strong cooperation between private sector and
government weather services.'' (emphasis added).
My life's work has been in the American weather enterprise: (1) as
an advisor to NOAA, the National Weather Service, the United Nation's
World Meteorological Organization, and (2) as the leader of the
preeminent global weather company--AccuWeather. I also served as a
tenured professor in the nationally recognized Smeal College of
Business at Penn State and served on the faculty of the Environmental
Resource Management Program and the Graduate Program in Regional
Planning. So I have a very well rounded view of the academic/research
community, the government agencies, and the weather industry in the
private sector.
The weather components of NOAA make up about 60 percent of the
agency budget. But I am also familiar with the ocean, and especially
the fisheries issues, and I am ready to bring my corporate leadership
skills to solving the Nation's issues in this area.
After having been the Executive Vice President and General Counsel
of AccuWeather for many decades, and a stint as Chief Financial
Officer, I was promoted to Chief Executive Officer just ten years ago,
and since that time the company has almost quadrupled in size and gone
from a national household word to a global brand reaching an estimated
two billion devices in people's hands around the world. This was done
by assembling a team of leaders who understand the challenges and were
prepared to address them. This is the approach I plan to take with
NOAA--especially focusing on two major initial problems--reduction of
the international trade imbalance in our fisheries (ranging from an
annual deficit of $11 to $17 billion depending on source) and having
the best weather model in the world. There are also other priorities
such as (1) renewed emphasis on ocean observing and data collection
systems and analysis to contribute both to our marine environment and
short and annual and inter-annual weather forecasting and (2)
implementing the Weather Research and Forecasting Improvement Act.
I was a prime player in working with Congress over four years to
see HR 353 turned into law this year as the Weather Research and
Forecasting Improvement Act (P.L. 115-25), which I believe is a
Congressional blueprint for improving tornado and hurricane warnings
(as well as other objectives). Having strongly supported the enactment
of P.L. 115-25, I feel qualified to carry out its mandate and restore
America to the world leader in weather forecasting.
The question asks why I wish to serve, there arc two answers.
First, I believe I come to the agency with much knowledge of its
strengths and areas for improvement. I know many of the people in the
agency and I believe I will bring strong directed leadership that will
enhance the value the agency brings to the Nation.
Second, and on a personal note, after my father died in 1963, my
brothers and I had to make our own way in the world. His estate was
bankrupt and our mother had to declare bankruptcy also. We were tossed
out of our home by a foreclosure and for a time supplemented our meager
income with surplus government food off the back of a truck at a food
distribution point. I still remember the giant blocks of cheese and the
big jars of peanut butter.
By the availability of scholarships and government loans,
attending, what was a low cost state school at the time (Penn State),
the three of us developed the American dream. We provided the hard work
and skill, and our country provided the opportunities that only America
can. My brothers and I went from eating government surplus cheese to
building the world's premiere and best known weather and media company.
I am so proud of what we have done.
AccuWeather as a business gives back to the Nation every day. We
work every day to save lives and protect property. I am proud of this
legacy, all inspired by a love of weather which we all endorsed at an
early age and worked, regularly 70 and 80 hour weeks, to make happen. I
feel driven to use my lifetime of business experience to give back to
the Nation that helped my family when we real1y needed it.
19. What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to
ensure that the department/agency has proper management and accounting
controls, and what experience do you have in managing a large
organization?
I believe the prime responsibility is to ensure that the wishes of
Congress are carried out, as defined in statute and in the approved
appropriations, through accountability and proper, efficient, and
effective management. In the private sector I have always worked
closely with the Senate and the House; as the head of NOAA I believe
transparency and accountability arc essential.
My plan is to staff the top management positions with talented,
experienced and capable executives and scientists from the private
sector and from government who are able and willing to carry out the
visions discussed above.
I am used to managing a diverse company with customers in virtually
every country in the world, working with the government meteorological
services of many nations, and making weather information available on
demand in over a 100 languages and dialects. I believe I am up to the
challenge of not just managing NOAA but identifying and solving
challenges faced by the agency in both weather, water and our
fisheries.
20. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the
department/agency, and why?
See my discussion above:
1. Addressing Fisheries Trade Imbalance--It is reported that this
imbalance is between $11 and $17 billion per year. Righting
this ship would be a major plus for the Nation.
2. American Weather Model Superiority--The American weather models
must be the best in the world for both protection of lives and
property and also for national security.
3. Carrying out P.L. 115-25--This Act focuses on the improvement of
forecasting--tornadocs, hurricanes, and annual and inter-annual
forecasts. This is a new paradigm to include the academic/
research community and the American weather industry in solving
NOAA and national weather issues and must be effectively
implemented. I fought to see this bill enacted into law and
wish to see it effectively implemented.
b. potential conflicts of interest
1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation
agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,
clients, or customers. Please include information related to retirement
accounts.
I have retirement accounts through my former employer, The
Pennsylvania State University. I also have Individual Retirement
Accounts (IRAs) not related to a business associate, client, or
customer.
2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,
to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business,
association or other organization during your appointment? If so,
please explain. No.
3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities. or other
relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in
the position to which you have been nominated.
In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
the Office of Government Ethics and Department of Commerce agency
ethics officials to identify any potential conflicts of interest. Any
potential conflicts of interest be resolved in accordance with the
terms of my ethics agreement. I understand that my ethics agreement has
been provided to the Committee. I am not aware of any potential
conflict of interest other than those that are the subject of my ethics
agreement and I have pledged to eliminate promptly.
4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial
transaction which you have had during the last ten years, whether for
yourself: on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in
any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the
position to which you have been nominated. None.
5. Describe any activity during the past ten years in which you
have been engaged for the purpose of directly or indirectly influencing
the passage, defeat, or modification of any legislation or affecting
the administration and execution of law or public policy.
I met with Senators and Congressmen, and testified, in support of
the passage of P.L. 115-25.
6. Explain how you will resolve any potential conflict of interest,
including any that may be disclosed by your responses to the above
items.
Any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved in accordance
with the terms of my ethics agreement. I understand that my ethics
agreement has been provided to the Committee. l am not aware of any
potential conflict of interest other than those that are the subject of
my ethics agreement and they will be resolved quickly.
c. legal matters
1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics,
professional misconduct, or retaliation by, or been the subject of a
complaint to, any court, administrative agency, the Office of Special
Counsel, professional association, disciplinary committee, or other
professional group? If yes:
a. Provide the name or agency, associa1ion, committee, or group;
b. Provide the date the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or
personnel action was issued or initiated;
c. Describe the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or
personnel action;
d. Provide the results of the citation, disciplinary action,
complaint, or personnel action.
No.
2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by
any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,
State, county, or municipal entity, other than for a minor traffic
offense? If so, please explain. No.
3. Have you or any business or nonprofit of which you are or were
an officer ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency
proceeding, criminal proceeding, or civil litigation? If so, please
explain.
AccuWeather has been involved in routine civil and administrative
actions, such as contracts disputes and employee claims for
unemployment compensation, workers compensation, and other personnel
matters.
4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo
contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic
offense? If so, please explain. No.
5. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual
harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, or
any other basis? If so, please explain. No.
6. Please advise the Committee of any additional information.
favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in
connection with your nomination. None.
d. relationship with committee
1. Will you ensure that your department/agency complies with
deadlines for information set by congressional committees? Yes.
2. Will you ensure that your department/agency does whatever it can
to protect congressional witnesses and whistle blowers from reprisal
for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.
3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested
witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with
firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes.
4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be
reasonably requested to do so? Yes.
______
Curriculum Vitae of Barry Lee Myers
Education
The Pennsylvania State University, Smeal College of Business,
Master of Science, (ABD) Management Science and Organizational
Behavior, 1972
Boston University School of Law, J.D., 1970
The Pennsylvania State University, Smeal College of Business,
B.S., Economics and Business Administration, 1967
Admitted to the Bar: Massachusetts 1970, Pennsylvania 1975,
United States Supreme Court 1980
Professional & Academic Positions
AccuWeather, Inc., 1964-present Chief Executive Officer
[previously Executive Vice President, General Counsel and CFO];
Member of the Board of Directors and Secretary of the
Corporation
American Meteorological Society Weather and Climate Commission
Steering Committee--January 2012 to January 2015
Huafeng/AccuWeather Joint Venture: Beijing, China--Founding
Member--2015
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Science
Advisory Board (SAR)--Environmental information Services
Working Group--May 2009 to December 2016
Advisor to Dr. John L. Hayes, Director of the National Weather
Service. at World Meteorological Organization Meetings; Geneva,
Switzerland--June 20-23, 2008
Advisor to General John T. Kelly, Jr., Director of the National
Weather Service, at World Meteorological Organization Meetings;
Geneva, Switzerland--June 11-13, 2001
Boutique law practice specializing in land use and development,
real estate, and environmental law, 1970-1990
The Pennsylvania State University, Smeal College of Business,
Graduate School Faculty, 1974-1990
The Pennsylvania State University, Smeal College of Business,
Associate Professor of Business Law (Tenured), 1978-1990
The Pennsylvania State University, Program Committee of the
Graduate Program in Regional Planning, 1973-1982
The Pennsylvania State University, Center for the Study of
Environmental Policy, 1972-1980
The Pennsylvania State University, Smeal College of Business,
Assistant Professor of Business Law, 1973-1978
Pine Creek Task Force, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Resources, 1973-1978
Centre Regional Consciousness Group, Center Regional Planning
Commission, 1974-1977
U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Outdoor Recreation,
Program Evaluator, 1976
National Science Foundation, Special Consultant on Federal Coal
Leasing Practices, 1973-1974
The Pennsylvania State University, Smeal College of Business,
Lecturer in Business Law, 1972-1973
The Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania Health
Research Institute, Center for Air Environment Studies,
Pennsylvania Science and Engineering Fellow, 1971-1972
The Pennsylvania State University, Center for Air Environment
Studies, U.S. Public Health Service Air Pollution Fellowship,
1970-1971
Professional Affiliations
Economic Club of New York. 2011-present
Chamber of Business and Industry for Centre County, CEO Group
Member, 2008-present
American Weather and Climate Industry Association (Board
Member, Government Relations Officer), 1990-present
American Meteorological Society, 2001-present
International Association of Broadcast Meteorologists, 2001-
present
National Weather Association, 2001-prescnt
American Bar Association, 1968-present
American Business Law Association, 1971-1990
American Legal Studies Association, 1975-1990
Beta Gamma Sigma (Business Administration Honor Society), 1976-
present
Centre County Bar Association, Centre County, PA, 1976-present
National Panel of Arbitrators of the American Arbitration
Association, 1977-1992
Omicron Delta Epsilon (Economics Honor Society), 1967-present
Pennsylvania Bar Association, 1975-present
Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Member of the Bar, 1975-present
Pi Gamma Mu (Social Science Honor Society), 1966-present
Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, Member of the Bar,
1980-present
United States Supreme Court, Member of the Bar, 1980-present
Who's Who in America--various editions Who's Who in American
Law--various editions
Who's Who in Executives and Professionals--various editions
Who's Who in Finance and Industry--various editions
Who's Who Registry of Global Business Leaders--various editions
Who's Who Worldwide--various editions
Special Activities
Environmental Information Services Working Group (EISWG) of the
Sciences Advisory Board to the National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Silver Spring, MD--December
12-13, 2016
Space-based Environmental Intelligence Event, American
Astronautical Society and the American Meteorological Society;
Washington, D.C.--December 2016
National Academy of Sciences' Board on Atmospheric Sciences and
Climate workshop, Speaker; Washington, D.C.--December 2016
The Economic Club of NY Event Featuring Michael Bloomberg; New
York City, NY--December 2016
Google Zeitgeist Meeting; Scottsdale, AZ--September 2016
B20/G20 Summit, U.S. Delegate; Hangzhou, China,--August/
September 2016
American Meteorological Society Summer Community Meeting--July
2016
Testimony Before the House Committee on Science, Space and
Technology, Subcommittee on Environment; Private Sector Weather
Forecasting; Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.--June 2016
BDT Roundtable Event with Commerce Secretary Pritzker;
Washington. D.C.--June 2016
The Economic Club of NY Meeting: New York City, NY--June 2016
The U.S.-China Business Council Meeting; Washington, D.C.--May
2016
Environmental Information Services Working Group (EISWG) of the
Sciences Advisory Board to the National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): Silver Spring, MD--May 2016
American Meteorological Society Washington Forum; Washington,
D.C.--April 2016
American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting; New Orleans,
LA--January 2016
Environmental Information Services Working Group (EISWG) of the
Sciences Advisory Board to the National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Silver Spring, MD--December
9-10, 2015
Global Innovator Conference: Beijing, China--2015
APEC Young Entrepreneurs' Summit; Beijing, China--2015
The U.S.-China Business Council Gala; Washington, D.C.--
December 2015
Fortune Global Forum 2015: San Francisco, CA--November 2015
Google Zeitgeist Meeting; Scottsdale, AZ--October 2015
National Weather Service (NWS) Fall Strategy Meeting;
Washington, D.C.--October 2015
U.S. Corporate Leadership Reception and Dinner with President
Xi of the People's Republic of China; Seattle, WA--September
2015
The U.S. China Business Council Meeting; Washington, D.C.--
August 2015
The U.S.-China Business Council Annual Meeting; Washington,
D.C.--June 2015
Media Insider Conference, Key Note Speaker; Key Largo, FL--
April/May 2015
National Association of Broadcasters; Las Vegas, NV--April 2015
Digital Content Next Conference; Miami. FL--January 2015
American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting; New Orleans,
LA--January 2015
The U.S.-China Business Council Annual Meeting; Washington,
D.C.--December 2014
Environmental Information Services Working Group (EISWG) of the
Sciences Advisory Board to National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Silver Spring, MD--December
2-3, 2014
C-Suite Conference, Speaker; Marina Del Rey, CA--November 2014
Points of Light Dinner, Guest of Neal Bush; Washington D.C.--
October 2014
Economic Club of New York Meeting; New York--October 2014
Licensing Executives Society, Speaker; San Francisco, CA--
October 2014
Google Zeitgeist Meeting: Scottsdale, AZ--September 2014
American Meteorological Society Summer Community Meeting; State
College, PA--August 2014
Multichannel On-Demand Summit, Speaker: New York City, NY--June
2014
The U.S.-China Business Council Annual Meeting: Washington,
D.C.-June 2014
Licensing Executives Society (LES)--IP 100 Forum Panelist;
Chicago, IL--May 2014
Environmental Information Services Working Group (EISWG) of the
Sciences Advisory Board to the National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Silver Spring, MD--April
2014
National Association of Broadcasters; Las Vegas, NV--April 2014
American Meteorological Society Forecast Improvement Group
Meeting; Washington, D.C.--April 2014
American Meteorological Society Washington Forum; Washington,
D.C.--April 2014
American Meteorological Society Enterprise Steering Committee
Meeting; Atlanta, GA--February 2, 2014
American Meteorological Society--Commission on the Weather and
Climate Enterprise (CWCE) meeting; Atlanta, GA--February 2014
American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting; Atlanta, GA--
February 2014
Environmental Information Services Working Group (EISWG) of the
Sciences Advisory Board to the National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Silver Spring, MD--December
17-18, 2013
Testimony before the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere,
Fisheries, and Coast Guard; Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation; United States Senate; A Hearing on: Forecasting
Success: Achieving U.S. Weather Readiness for The Long Term--
December 12, 2013
The U.S.-China Business Council Annual Meeting: Washington,
D.C.--December 4, 2013
Licensing Executives Society (LES); Philadelphia, PA--September
23, 2013
Google Zeitgeist Conference; Scottsdale, AZ--September 15-17,
2013
American Meteorological Society Summer Community Meeting:
Boulder, CO--August 12-15, 2013
Testimony before the Subcommittee on Environment of the
Committee on Science, Space and Technology, Restoring U.S.
Leadership in Weather Forecasting--May 23, 2013
National Association of Broadcasters; Las Vegas, NV--April 8-
13, 2013
Weather Policy Priorities--113th Congress; Washington, D.C.--
January 31, 2013
American Meteorological Society--Commission on the Weather and
Climate Enterprise (CWCE) meeting; Austin, TX--January, 2012
American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting; Austin, TX--
January 2013
Environmental Information Services Working Group (EISWG) of the
Sciences Advisory Board to the National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)--Silver Spring, MD--December
12-13, 2012
OMMA Premium Display Conference; New York City, NY--November 8,
2012
Google Zeitgeist Conference; Scottsdale. AZ--October 14-17,
2012
Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) SM2, Speaker: New York City,
NY--October 1-2, 2012
Economic Club of New York meeting; New York--September 24, 2012
American Weather Enterprise--Briefing; Washington, D.C.--
September 27, 2012
American Meteorological Society & UCAR Geosciences
Congressional Visit Days; Washington, D.C.--September 11-12,
2012
Environmental Information Services Working Group (EISWG) of the
Sciences Advisory Board to the National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Silver Spring, MD--May 1-2,
2012
National Association of Broadcasters; Las Vegas, NV--April 16-
18, 2012
American Meteorological Society Washington Forum: Toward a
Weather, Water and Climate-Ready Nation; Washington, D.C.--
April 10-12, 2012
American Meteorological Society--Status of the NOAA FY 13
Budget Request Session Panelist; Washington, D.C.--April 12,
2012
American Meteorological Society--Commission on the Weather and
Climate Enterprise (CWCE) meeting; Washington, D.C.--April 9,
2012
American Meteorological Society--NWS Partners Meeting; New
Orleans, LA--January 26, 2012
American Meteorological Society--Commission on the Weather and
Climate Enterprise (CWCE) meeting; New Orleans, LA--January
2012
American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting; New Orleans,
LA--January 2012
American Weather and Climate Industry Association; New Orleans,
LA--January 2012
Federal Reserve Bank of New York Meeting of Select Business
Leaders; New York--November 15, 2011
Environmental Information Services Working Group (EISWG) of the
Sciences Advisory Board to the National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Silver Spring, MD--November
2011
Google Zeitgeist Conference; Scottsdale, AZ--September 25-28,
2011
Economic Club of New York meeting; New York--September 19, 2011
Environmental Information Services Working Group (EISWG) of the
Sciences Advisory Board to the National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Boulder, CO--August 2011
American Meteorological Society Summer Meeting; Boulder, CO--
August 2011
National Weather Service Forum on Mobile Weather; Silver
Spring, MD--June 2011
The U.S.-China, Business Council Annual Meeting; Washington,
D.C.--May 31, 2011
National Association of Broadcasters: Las Vega, NV--April 2011
Environmental Information Services Working Group (EISWG) of the
Sciences Advisory Board to the National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Silver Spring, MD--April
2011
American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting; Seattle, WA--
January 2011
American Weather and Climate Industry Association; Seattle,
WA--Januaey 2011
Environmental Information Services Working Group (EISWG) of the
Sciences Advisory Board to the National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Sausalito. CA--November 2010
Google Zeitgeist Conference; Scottsdale, AZ--September 12-14,
2010
Environmental Information Services Working Group (EISWG) of the
Sciences Advisory Board to the National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); State College, PA--August 9,
2010
American Meteorological Society Summer Meeting; State College,
PA--August 9-11, 2010
Environmental Information Services Working Group (EISWG) of the
Sciences Advisory Board to the National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Silver Spring, MD--April 19-
20, 2010
National Association of Broadcasters Conference; Las Vegas,
NV--April 11-14, 2010
American Meteorological Society 2010 AMX Public-Private
Partnership Forum; Washington, D.C.-April 6-7, 2010
American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting; Atlanta, GA--
January 17-22, 2010
American Weather and Climate Industry Association; Atlanta,
GA--January 17, 2010
NOAA Stakeholder Workshop; Washington, D.C.--December 2, 2009
Environmental Information Services Working Group (EISWG) of the
Sciences Advisory Board to the National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Silver Spring, MD--November
18, 2009
National Weather Service ``Family of Services'' Meetings:
Washington, D.C.--June 25, 2009
Media Conference--Advertising 2.0; New York City, NY--June 10,
2009
National Association of Broadcasters Conference; Las Vegas,
NV--April 20-22, 2009
Guest appearance on ``To the Best of My Knowledge'' hosted by
Dr. Graham Spanier, President of Penn State University, on
WPSU-TV & FM and Pennsylvania Cable Network--February 24, 2009
Commercial Weather Services Association Annual Meeting;
Phoenix, AZ--January 11, 2009
American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting; Phoenix:, AZ--
January 11-14, 2009
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Building Green'' Online Seminar---December 27, 2008
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Top Ten Steps To Enforcing a Restrictive Covenant'' Online
Seminar--September 28, 2008
United Nations World Meteorological Organization Meetings;
Geneva, Switzerland--June 19-26, 2008
Group M 24/7 Summit; New York City, NY--June 3, 2008
American Meteorological Society Corporate Forum; Washington,
D.C.--April 22-23, 2008
National Association of Broadcasters Conference; Las Vegas,
NV--April 12-16, 2008
Commercial Weather Services Association Annual Meeting; New
Orleans, LA--January 18, 2008
American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting; New Orleans,
LA--January 18-21, 2008
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``E-Discovery''; Mechanicsburg, PA--November 14, 2007
Weather Derivatives Seminar; New York, NY--October 23, 2007
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Saving the Assets of an Individual Entering a Nursing Home
After the Deficit Reduction Act'' Online Seminar--October 20,
2007
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Social Security Benefits Primer'' Online Seminar--September
23, 2007
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``The Legislative Process,'' Mechanicsburg, PA--September 27,
2007
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``E-Discovery'' Online Seminar--September 10, 2007
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Search Engines Beyond Google'' Webinar June 12, 2007
American Meteorological Society Corporate Forum; Washington,
DC--March 22-23, 2007
American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting; San Antonio,
TX--January 14-17, 2007
Commercial Weather Services Association Annual Meeting; San
Antonio, TX--January 14, 2007
National Council of Industrial Meteorologists Annual Meeting
presenter; San Antonio, TX--January 15, 2007
The Weather Coalition panelist regarding the future course of
the industry-academic-government relations; San Antonio, TX--
January 15, 2007
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``De-mystifying the Insurance Industry--How Policies are
Written, Placed and Interpreted'' Online Seminar--August 28,
2006
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Fundamentals of Estate'' Online Seminar--August 14, 2006
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``LLCs, LPs, S Corps & C Corps: Choosing the Best Business
Entity for Maximum Results'' Online Seminar--August 14, 2006
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``How to Mediate a Business Dispute'' Online Seminar--August 6,
2006
American Meteorological Society Corporate Forum; Washington,
D.C.-March 9-10, 2006
American Meteorological Society, the Symposium on the Public/
Private Sector Partnership; Atlanta, GA--January 31, 2006
American Meteorological Society, the Symposium on the Public/
Private Sector Partnership, Committee on Weather Analysis and
Forecasting Panelist; Atlanta, GA--January 31, 2006
National Weather Association Annual Meeting; St. Louis, MO--
October 15-17, 2005
Private Sector Service Providers and NOAA regarding JOOS
Implementation; Washington, D.C.--September 21, 2005
Private Sector Service Providers and NOAA regarding JOOS
Implementation Panelist; Washington, D.C.--September 21, 2005
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Avoiding and Resolving Disputes with Minority Shareholders''
Online Seminar--August 22, 2005
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Business Method Patents'' Online Seminar--August 17, 2005
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Insurance coverage in the 21st Century'' Online Seminar--
August 17, 2005
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Advanced Cross Examination''; Mechanicsburg, PA--August 29,
2005
Workshop on the Future of U.S. Weather Prediction Research;
University of Colorado, Boulder, CO--July 26-28, 2005
American Meteorological Society Corporate Forum; University of
Maryland, MD--March 30-31, 2005
Inauguration Ceremony for President George W. Bush; Washington,
D.C.--January 20, 2005
American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting; San Diego, CA--
January 9-14, 2005
Commercial Weather Services Association Annual Meeting; San
Diego, CA--January 9, 2005
Press Conference with Congressman John Peterson (R-PA)
regarding the Punxsutawney Weather Center; Washington, D.C.--
December 17, 2004
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Panel Discussion: Law and Medical Malpractice Issues'';
Mechanicsburg, PA--October 22, 2004
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: How the Media Shapes Clients:
Perception of the Practice of Law'' Online Seminar--October 22,
2004
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Handling the Workers' Comp Case'' Online Seminar--September
24, 2004
NRCC Santorum Trust; Washington, D.C.--September 22, 2004
NRCC Republican Senatorial Inner Circle, Republican National
Convention; New York City, NY--August 29-September 1, 2004
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Greatest Trials Ever Held''; Mechanicsburg, PA--August 20,
2004
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Lawsuits about Lawsuits'' seminar--August 31, 2004
Presidential Dinner honoring President George W. Bush;
Washington, D.C.--July 21, 2004
Commercial Weather Services Association Annual Meeting;
Washington, D.C.--July 15-16, 2004
National Republican Congressional Committee, Business Advisory
Council, Honorary Chairman from Pennsylvania; Washington,
D.C.--June 23, 2004
American Meteorological Society 33rd Conference on Broadcast
Meteorology; New Orleans, LA--June 14-17, 2004
NOAA Stakeholder forum; Washington, D.C.--April 16, 2004
National Law Journal, ``Eye of the Storm'' profile on In-House
Counsel--April 5, 2004
American Meteorological Society Corporate Forum; Washington,
D.C.--March 14-16, 2004
American Meteorological Society Corporate Forum, ``Weather and
Climate Enterprise Panel Discussion'' panelist; Washington,
D.C.--March 14-16, 2004
American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting; Seattle, WA--
January 10-15, 2004
Joint Session of Congress featuring speaker The Honorable Tony
Blair, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom--July 17, 2003
American Meteorological Society Corporate Forum, Weather and
Climate Enterprise Panel Discussion; Washington, D.C.--March
15, 2003
American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting; Long Beach,
CA--February 10-14, 2003
Swearing fn Ceremonies of the 108th Congress; Washington,
D.C.--January 7, 2003
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Workplace Investigation of Sexual Harassment Claims'';
Mechanicsburg, PA--December 9, 2002
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Malpractice Avoidance Seminars''; Huntingdon, PA--November
19, 2002
NOAA Strategic Planning Process, Stakeholder Workshops:
Washington, D.C.--September 23, 2002
NOAA COOP Modernization Partners' Forum; Rockville, MD--
September 18 2002
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Power to Persuade''; Mechanicsburg, PA--August 6, 2002
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Sexual Harassment Case''; Pittsburgh, PA--July 30, 2002
Commercial Weather Services Association Annual Meeting; Kansas
City, MO--July 20, 2002
National Research Council, ``Public--Private Partnerships in
the Provision of Weather and Climate Services'' Open Session;
Boulder, CO--June 27, 2002
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Use of Trust in Estate Planning''; State College, PA--May 3,
2002
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Buying & Selling a Business''; State College, PA--April 23,
2002
American Meteorological Society Corporate Forum: Washington,
D.C.--March 4-6, 2002
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Trials of the Century''; Pittsburgh, PA--November 13, 2001
National Research Council Workshop; Washington, D.C.--November
5, 2001
Centre County Bench Bar Day; Bellefonte, PA--October 12, 2001
National Research Council Committee on Partnerships in Weather
and Climate Services; Washington, D.C.--August 29, 2001
World Federation of Scientists, 26th Session of the
International Seminars on Planetary Emergencies & Associated
Meetings; Invited Speaker--Global Weather Data and Information;
Erice, Italy--August 19-25, 2001
Commercial Weather Services Association Annual Meeting;
Washington, D.C.--June 8, 2001
United Nations World Meteorological Organization meeting;
Geneva, Switzerland--June 11-13, 2001
Centre County Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education
``What Every Lawyer Needs to Know About Employment Contracts,
Non-compete Clauses and Confidentiality Agreements''; State
College, PA--January 17, 2001
Internet World Fall 2000; New York City, NY--October 26, 2000
Radio-Television News Directions Association, Annual National
Meeting; Minneapolis, MN--September 12-13, 2000
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Representing Residential Landlords and Tenants''; Lewisburg,
PA--July 11, 2000
Commercial Weather Services Association Annual Meeting;
Washington, D.C.--June 27, 2000
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Franchising Practice and Pitfalls''; Mechanicsburg, PA--June
8, 2000
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Buying and selling a Business''; Williamsport, PA--December
17, 2000
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Speaking to Win''; Mechanicsburg, PA--November 18, 1999
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Bad Faith Claims in Pennsylvania''; Mechanicsburg, PA--
September 9, 1999
Commercial Weather Services Association Annual Meeting;
Washington, D.C.--June 29, 1999
Workshop on International Meteorological Cooperation:
Addressing Issues and Challenges for the Future; Dallas, TX--
January 9-10, 1999
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course.
``Internet for Lawyers'': Mechanicsburg, PA--September 15, 1998
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``New PA Rules of Evidence'': Scranton, PA--August 12, 1998
Commercial Weather Services Association Annual Meeting;
Washington, D.C.--May 19, 1998
Forum on International Weather Data Exchange, U.S. Delegation
member; Paris, France--May 14, 1998
Happy Valley Viewpoint, 1450 WMAJ: State College, PA--April 13,
1998
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Trial Tactics''; Pennsylvania--August 29, 1997
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Drafting & Enforcing Executive Employment Contracts'':
Pennsylvania--August 12, 1997
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``The Disciplinary Board-1 Received a Letter: How Should . .
.''; Pennsylvania--April 16, 1997
Inc. Magazine's Seventh Annual Conference on Customer Service
Strategies; Orlando, FL--March 11-12, 1997
Forum on International Data Exchange; Long Beach, CA--February
2, 1997
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Internet: Hip or Hype?'': Pennsylvania--August 22, 1996
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Sexual Harassment''; Harrisburg, PA--July 24, 1996
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Mergers and Acquisitions''; Pittsburgh, PA--June 6, 1996
Commercial Weather Services Association Annual Meeting;
Washington, D.C.--May 14, 1996
Commercial Weather Services Association Board of Directors
Meeting; Washington, D.C.--May 13, 1996
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Recent Development in Federal Practice For Business
Lawyers.''; Harrisburg, PA--December 7, 1995
Interplan; New York, NY--November 1-3, 1995
Commercial Weather Services Association Board of Directors
Meeting; Washington, D.C.--September 12, 1995
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Effective Writing for Lawyers''; Philadelphia PA--August 30,
1995
Commercial Weather Services Association, OMB Presentation;
Washington, D.C.--June 8, 1995
Commercial Weather Services Association Annual Meeting;
Washington, D.C.--May 16, 1995
National Science Teachers Association Annual Meeting;
Philadelphia, PA--March 1995
Regional Climatic Centers Meeting--January 4, 1995
World Meteorological Organization Conference on the Economic
Benefits of Meteorological and Hydrological Services; Geneva,
Switzerland--September 19-23, l994
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Course,
``Legal Negotiation''; Pittsburgh, PA--July 20, 1994
Commercial Weather Services Association Annual Meeting;
Washington, D.C.--June 2, 1994
American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting; Nashville, TN--
January 24-27, 1994
World Meteorological Organization International Programme
Committee Meeting; Geneva, Switzerland--January 10-11, 1994
Radio-Television News Directors Association Annual Meeting;
Miami Beach,FL--September-October 1993
National Weather Service Family of Services Annual Meeting;
Washington, D.C.--August 31, 1993
Commercial Weather Services Association Annual Meeting,
``Commercialization of Weather Services and Products'';
Washington, D.C.--June 4, 1993
National Science Teachers Association Annual Meeting; Kansas
City, MO--April 1993
American Meteorological Society Meeting; Anaheim, CA--January
20, 1993
National Science Teachers Association Annual Meeting--November
1992
Radio-Television News Directors Association Annual Meeting; San
Antonio, TX--September 1992
Commercial Weather Services Association Annual Meeting;
Washington, D.C. July 17, 1992
American Meteorological Society Meeting; Atlanta, GA--January
7, 1992
Commercial Weather Services Association Annual Meeting;
Washington, D.C.--June 28, 1991
National Science Teachers Association Annual Convention;
Boston, MA--March 1991
West Chester University Satellite in Education Conference; West
Chester, PA--March 1991
Commercial Weather Services Association Annual Meeting:
Washington, D.C.--June 28, 1990
National Science Teachers Association Annual Convention;
Atlanta, GA--April 1990
National Association of Broadcasters Annual Convention;
Atlanta, GA--April 1990
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development National
Conference; San Antonio, TX--March 1990
National Business Aircraft Association Annual Convention;
Atlanta, GA--October 1989
Commercial Weather Services Association Annual Meeting
(formerly APWRC); Washington, D.C.--June 16, 1989
National Association of Broadcasters Convention; Las Vegas,
NV--April 29-May 2, 1989
National Science Teachers Association Annual Convention;
Seattle, WA--April 1989
American Meteorological Society Meeting; Anaheim, CA--January
31, 1989
West Chester University Satellite in Education Convention; West
Chester, PA--November 1988
Radio-Television News Directors Association, Annual Convention;
Las Vegas, NV--November 1988
American Association of Weather Observers. Annual Convention;
State College, PA--October 1988
National Business Aircraft Association, Annual Convention;
Dallas, TX--October 1988
National Association of Broadcasters, Annual Convention;
Washington, D.C.--September 1988
National Science Teachers Association, Annual Convention; St.
Louis, MO--April 1988
Commercial Weather Services Association Annual Meeting
(formerly APWRC); Washington, D.C.--March 11, 1988
National Science Supervisors Association, Annual Convention--
August 1987
National Science Teachers Association, Annual Convention;
Washington, D.C.--March 1987
Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association, Annual Convention;
Valley Forge, PA--November 6, 1986
Radio-Television News Directors Association, Annual Convention;
Salt Lake City, UT--August 1986
National Videotext Conference; New York, NY--1986
National Association of Broadcasters Annual Convention; Las
Vegas, NV--April 1986
Federal High-Tech Conference; Boston, MA--November 1985
Radio-Television News Directors Association, Annual National
Meeting; Nashville, TN--September 1985
American Business Law Association, Annual National Meeting;
Portland, OR--August 13-16, 1985
Radio-Television News Directors Association, Annual National
Meeting; San Antonio, TX--December 1984
National Association of Broadcasters, Annual Meeting; Las
Vegas, NV--April 1983
National Association of Broadcasters, Annual Meeting; Dallas,
TX--April 1982
American Business Law Association, 57th Annual National
Meeting; San Francisco, CA--August 12-l5, 1980
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Conference; Hattisburg, PA--March
28, 1980
American Business Law Association--Mid-Atlantic Region, Annual
Meeting; Ocean City, MD--March 2, 1979
Anglo-American Business Law Conference, Annual Meeting; Ocean
City, MD--March 22-24, 1979
American Business Law Association, Mid-Atlantic Region, Annual
Meeting--March 1978
American Business Law Association, Annual National Meeting;
Miami Beach, FL--August 21-25, 1977
American Business Law Association--Mid-Atlantic Region, Annual
Meeting; University of Maryland, College Park, MD--March 10-11,
1977
Pennsylvania Bar Association and Pennsylvania Bar Institute,
Pennsylvania Civil Practice and Procedure Institute; University
Park, PA--October 27, 1976
American Business Law Association, 53rd Annual National
Meeting; Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI--August
22-26, 1976
General Electric Foundation--U.C.L.A. Graduate School of
Management, Annual Conference on Business and Its Environment,
U.C.L.A.; Los Angeles, CA--July 25-August 5, 1976
American Business Law Association--Mid-Atlantic Region, Annual
Meeting; University of Delaware, New Newark, DE--Aprll 1-2,
1976
Northeastern Regional Business Law Association, Annual Meeting;
New York, NY--January 31, 1976
American Business Law Association, 52nd Annual Meeting;
University of Nevada, Reno, NV--August 17-21, 1976
American Society of Planning Officials, 40th Annual National
Planning Conference; Chicago, IL--May 10-16, 1974
American Law Institute and American Bar Association, Annual
Conference on Land Use Control Law; San Diego, CA November 13-
17, 1973
The Zoning Game--Land Use Control Conference; University Park,
PA--September 9, 1973
Speeches
2017 AMS Washington Forum, ``Environmental Data Paradigm: The
Future of Foundational Weather Data that Drives the
Enterprise,'' Panelist; Washington, D.C.--May 4, 2017
National Weather Service Fall Strategy Meeting; Silver Spring,
MD--October 2015
Global Innovator Conference 2015 and APEC Young Entrepreneurs'
Summit--Keynote speaker; Beijing, China--September 2015
Publishers Insiders Summit, Keynote Interview; Chicago, IL--May
2015
Millersville College--American Meteorological Society, Keynote
Speaker--May 3, 2013
``Status of the NOAA FY13 Budget Request''-American
Meteorological Society Washington Forum; Washington, D.C.--
April 10, 2012
``Entrepreneurship--My Story''; Delta Sigma Pi at Smeal
College, The Pennsylvania Slate University, University Park,
PA--April 2, 2012
``Coordinating Severe Weather Warnings Between the Public and
Private Sectors'', National Weather Service Partners Meeting;
New Orleans, LA--January 26, 2012
``Welcome Speech'', AWCIA event at the American Meteorological
Society; New Orleans, LA--January 2012
``Mobile Weather: Opportunity and Challenge'', American
Meteorological Society Summer meeting; Boulder, CO--August 2011
``Wireless Weather Services--National Weather Service and
Weather Enterprise Roles'' Forum of Wireless Weather Services;
Washington, D.C.--June 28, 2011
``Entrepreneurship--Our Story''--Young Presidents Organization;
State College, PA--March 3, 2010
``Welcome Speech--American Cancer Society''; State College,
PA--August 2, 2008
``Even Children Can Contribute to the Make-A-Wish Foundation,''
Bellefonte Area Middle School; Bellefonte, PA--June 13, 2008
``A Property Owners View of Proposed Changes to the West End,''
State College Borough Planning Commission Meeting; State
College, PA--December 5, 2007
``Beyond Climatology--Looking Toward the Future,'' Weather
Derivatives Seminar; New York City, NY--October 23, 2007
``Welcome Speech--Annual CWSA Reception at AMS'': San Antonio,
TX--January 14, 2007
Presentation--National Council of Industrial Meteorologists
Annual Meeting; San Antonio, TX--January 15, 2007
``The Impact of Legislation on Broadcast Meteorologists,''
National Weather Association Annual Meeting; St. Louis, MO--
October 17, 2005
``Weather and Climate Enterprise Panel Discussion.'' American
Meteorological Society Corporate Forum; Washington, DC--March
15, 2004
``Discriminatory Information and Competitive Practices of the
National Weather Service,'' The Annual Meeting of the
Commercial Weather Services Association; Kansas City, MO--July
20, 2002
``The Fair Activities Inventory Reform Act of 1998, OMB
Circular A-76 and other Federal Law as it relates to Policies
and Practices of the National Weather Service,'' AMS Corporate
Forum; Washington, D.C.--March 3-4, 2002
``The Policy Implications of International Treatment of
Meteorological Data and Its Impact on Forecasts, Warnings, and
Commercial Weather Industry Development,'' World Federation of
Scientists, 26th Session of the International Seminars on
Planetary Emergencies & Associated Meetings; Erice, Italy--
August 19-25, 2001
``NWSEO Opposition to Commercial Weather Industry Activity,''
Commercial Weather Services Association Conference--June 8,
2001
``The Latest Information on International Weather Data
Exchange,'' Commercial Weather Services Association Conference;
Washington, D.C.--May 19, 1998
``Single Source and Accreditation for Public Warnings Under WMO
Resolution 40'' Forum on International Data Exchange; Paris,
France--May 14, 1998
``North American Perspective on WMO Resolution 40'' Forum on
International Data Exchange; Long Beach, CA--February 2, 1997
``Computer Services Sales Tax,'' Pennsylvania House of
Representatives, Finance Committee Public Hearing, Special Task
Force on Pennsylvania's Business and Job Climate; Pittsburgh,
PA--August 14, 1995
``Testimony of the Commercial Weather Services Association.''
Co-presenter, Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, U.S.
House of Representatives; Washington, D.C.--February 21, 1995
``Round Table Discussion on Conference Results and
Recommendations.'' Conference on the Economic Benefits of
Meteorological and Hydrological Services, World Meteorological
Organization; Geneva, Switzerland--September 23, 1994
``Specific Investigations of Social and Economic Benefits
Obtained from Services and Customers in Specific Sectors:
Chairman of the Session.'' Conference on the Economic Benefits
of Meteorological and Hydrological Services, World
Meteorological Organization: Geneva, Switzerland--September 22,
1994
``Benefits for End Users Derived from NMHS's and the Private
Sector Collaborating to Provide Services to Meet their Needs:
Round Table Discussion.'' Conference on the Economic Benefits
of Meteorological and Hydrological Services. World
Meteorological Organization; Geneva, Switzerland--September 22,
1994
``Benefits to End Users of NMHS/Private Sector Collaboration:
The U.S. Model and Its Implications.'' Conference on the
Economic Benefits of Meteorological and Hydrological Services.
World Meteorological Organization. Keynote speaker; Geneva,
Switzerland--September 22, 1994
Specific Investigations of Social and Economic Benefits
Obtained from Services to Customers in Specific Sectors:
Chairman of the Session. Conference on the Economic Benefits of
Meteorological and Hydrological Services. World Meteorological
Organization; Geneva, Switzerland--September 21, 1994
``Teaching Business and Society Courses.'' Panel Discussant.
American Business Law Association Annual National Meeting--
August 15, 1985
``Legal Problems and Solar Development.'' The Sound of
Progress. Penn State Radio--June 1, 1979
``Law School Opportunities for CBA Students.'' Business
Administration Student Council--April 2, 1979
``Problems and Techniques in Teaching the Uniform Commercial
Code to College Students.'' Panel Discussant. Anglo-American
Business Law Conference--March 22, 1979
``Community Legal Concerns Related to Solar Development.'' The
Sound of Progress. Penn State Radio--November 3, 1978
``Solar Technology and Legal Problems.'' The Sound of Progress.
Penn State Radio--September 12, 1978
``Planning, the Environment and the Law.'' Man-Environment
Relations Club. The Pennsylvania State University--December 6,
1977
``The Taking Issue of Land Use Controls.'' Zoning and Community
Land Use Management Techniques In-Service Education. A
Continuing Education Program sponsored by the College of
Agriculture. The Pennsylvania State University--September 9,
1977
``Legal Problems in Solar Energy.'' Annual National Meeting of
the American Business Law Association; Miami Beach, FL--August
25, 1977
``Energy Implications of Major Oil Company Divestiture.'' State
of the Weather/Shape of the World. WPSX--July 19, ]977
``Problems with the Federal Flood Insurance Program.'' State of
the Weather/Shape of the World. WPSX--February 17, 1977
``The Environment, The Law and You.'' Eco-Action Meeting;
University Park, PA--October 25, 1976
``Technology, Energy and Social Concerns and Impacts.''
Chairman of the Session. Conference on Business and its
Environment; U.C.L.A. Graduate School of Management, Los
Angeles, CA--July 28, 1976
``Flood Controls.'' State of the Weather/Shape of the World.
WPSX--July 21, 1976
``Flood Insurance: The Legal Tide Rises Again.'' Mid-Atlantic
Regional Meeting of The American Business Law Association;
University of Delaware, Newark, DE--April 2, 1976
``Legal Controls in Flood-Prone Communities.'' Natural
Disasters Seminar Series; The Pennsylvania State University--
October 3, 1974
``Zoning and the Law.'' State of the Weather/Shape of the
World. WPSX--March 24, 1974
``National Environmental Policy Art.'' State of the Weather/
Shape of the World. WPSX--October 23, 1973
``Federal Land Use Planning Legislation.'' Participant in
Environmental Workshop. Center for the Study of Environmental
Policy; The Pennsylvania State University--October 16, 1973
``Legal Aspects of Land Use Controls in Flood Prone Areas.''
Pine Creek Task force, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Resources--October 10, 1973
''Environmental-Legal Problems in the Pine Creek Watershed.''
Pine Creek Task Force, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Resources--July 11, 1973
``Land Use Doctrines and Environmental Problems.'' Department
of Geography Graduate Seminar; The Pennsylvania State
University--January 19, 1973
``Federal Flood Insurance.'' State of the Weather/Shape of the
World, WPSX--November 27, 1972
``Environmental--Legal Problems in the Pine Creek Watershed.''
State of the Weather/Shape of the World. WPSX--November 15,
1972
``Motivating Business Organizations to Attach Their Air
Pollution Problems.'' Air Pollution Seminar Series, Center for
Air Environment Studies, Institute for Science and Engineering;
The Pennsylvania State University--November 6, 1971
``Private Legal Remedies for Air Pollution Problems.'' Air
Pollution Seminar Series, Center for Air Environment Studies,
Institute for Science and Engineering; The Pennsylvania State
University--May 4, 1971
Honors and Prizes Awarded
Elected Fellow of the American Meteorological Society; American
Meteorological Society 96th Annual Meeting; New Orleans, LA--
January 10, 2016
The Kenneth C. Spengler Award for 2015, American Meteorological
Society 95th Annual Meeting; Phoenix, AZ--January 8, 2015
Grant from the General Electric Foundation and the U.C.L.A.
Graduate School of Management to participate in the conference
of ``Business in Its Environment'' held at the U.C.L.A.
Graduate School of Management; Los Angeles, CA--July 26-August
4, 1976
Pennsylvania Science and Engineering Fellow, Center for Air
Environment Studies; The Pennsylvania State University and the
Pennsylvania Health Research Institute--1971-1972
Publications
International Seminar on Nuclear War--26th Session--2001,
Climate Changes--Global Monitoring of the Planet The Policy
Implications of International Treatment of Meteorological Data
and its Impact on Forecasts Warnings, and Commercial Weather
Industry Development, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd;
Singapore; River Edge, NJ; London
Washington Post, Letter to the Editor, Weathering Disasters,
August 17, 2001
Henszey, B.N.; Barry Lee Myers; Phalan, RT.; Bagby, J.W.;
Sharp, J.M. (co-authors), 1991. Introduction to Basic Legal
Principles, A Student Study Guide
Abrams, E.; Levin, J.; Palmer, A.; Withum, F. and Barry Lee
Myers, 1991. On-Line With Accu-Weather: Teacher's Guide and
Student Worksheets, 2nd Edition. Kendall/Hunt, Dubuque, IA
Abrams, E.; Levin, J.; Palmer, A.; Withum, F. and Barry Lee
Myers. 1991. On-Line With Accu-Weather: Instructional Modules
and Student Worksheets, 2nd Edition. Kendall/Hunt, Dubuque, IA
Abrams. E.; Levin, .T.; Palmer, A.; Withum, F. and Barry Lee
Myers. 1989. On-Line With Accu-Weather: Teacher's Guide and
Student Worksheets, 2nd Edition. Kendall/Hunt, Dubuque. IA
Abrams. E.; Levin, J.; Palmer, A.; Withum, F. and Barry Lee
Myers. 1989. On-Line With Accu-Weather: Instructional Modules
and Student Worksheets. 2nd Edition. Kendall/Hunt, Dubuque, IA
Levin, J., and Barry Lee Myers. 1987. Real-Time Databases for
the Classroom. Pennsylvania Science Teachers
Association Exchange (Fall)
Levin, J. and Barry Lee Myers. 1987. Systematic Design of Earth
Science Instructional Modules Utilizing Real-Time Databases,
The Earth Scientist. (Fall)
Abrams, E., Levin, J., and Barry Lee Myers. 1987. Classroom
Information Databank for Science Educators. Proceedings
National Science Supervisors Association Science Leadership
Institute
Henszey, B.N. and Barry Lee Myers and Phalan, R.T. (co-
authors), 1986. Introduction to Basic Legal Principles. A
Student Study Guide
Barry Lee Myers & Myers, J. N. 1985. ``New Technology and the
Presentation of Weather.'' RTNDA Communicator. December
Barry Lee Myers & Myers, J. N. 1984. ``Reliable Forecast: A
Must for Efficient Cost-Effective Snow Removal.'' The
Pennsylvania Township News. Vol. 35, No. 9, September, pp 26-30
Barry Lee Myers, 1983. Legal Environment of Business--Lesson
Report Manual. The Pennsylvania State University. Second
edition
Barry Lee Myers, 1983. Legal Environment of Business--A
Correspondence Study Course. The Pennsylvania State University.
Second edition
Henszey, B.N. and Bany Lee Myers and Phalan, R.T. (co-authors),
1983. Basic Legal Principles--Instructors Manual
Henszey, B.N. and Barry Lee Myers and Phalan. R.T. (co-
authors), 1982. Introduction to Basic Legal Principles. A
Student Study Guide. Second edition
Barry Lee Myers. 1982. ``The Private Forecaster's Role in Snow
Fighting.'' Public Works Journal vol. 112, No. 11, pp. 54-56,
November
Barry Lee Myers. 1980. Legal Environment of Business--Lesson
Report Manual The Pennsylvania State University,
Barry Lee Myers. 1980. Legal Environment of Business--A
Correspondence Study Course. The Pennsylvania State University
Henszey, B.N. and Barry Lee Myers and Phalan, R.T. (co-
authors), 1979. Introduction to Basic Legal Principles, A
Student Study Guide
Barry Lee Myers. 1979. ``55 MPH Speed Limit Isn't the Answer.''
Centre Daily Times, March
Barry Lee Myers, 1978. ``Pennsylvania: Prime Target for
Uninsured Flood Loss.'' Department of Public Information, The
Pennsylvania State University
Barry Lee Myers, and J. K. Rubin. 1978. ``Complying with the
Flood Disaster Protection Act.'' Real Estate Law Journal, Vol.
7(2), pp 114-131
Barry Lee Myers, 1978. ``The Common Law of Solar Access: An
Insufficient Protection for Users of Solar Energy.'' Real
Estate Law Journal, Vol. 6, (Spring), pp. 320-322. Reprinted in
Solar Engineering, and Ecolibrium (Fall)
Barry Lee Myers, 1978. ``Guaranteeing a Place in the Sun.''
Centre Daily Times. May
Barry Lee Myers, 1978. ``Solar Access in Residential
Developments.'' The Practical Lawyer, Vol. 24, No. 2, (March),
pp. 13-20
Barry Lee Myers, 1978. ``The American View on Awarding
Attorney's Fees--The Alaskan Pipeline Cases.'' Business Law
Issues and Concepts. pp 69-78
Land, F.P. and Barry Lee Myers and Huffimire, M., (editors)
1977. Selected Papers of American Business Law Association
Regional Proceedings. Mid-Atlantic Business Law Association
Henszey, B. N. and Barry Lee Myers and Phalan, R.T. (co-
authors), 1977. Introduction to Basic Legal Principles.
(Textbook)
Myers, Barry Lee. 1977. ``Should the Big Oil Companies Be
Broken Up?'' Business and its Environment
Barry Lee Myers, 1977. ``Legal Problems in Solar Energy Use: A
Look Back at the Right to Light.'' Selected Papers of the
American Business Law Association National Proceedings. pp.
504-518.
Henszey, B. N. and Barry Lee Myers (co-authors). 1977,
``Evaluation of `New' Teaching Methods for the Basic Business
Law Course.'' American Business Law Journal, Vol. 15 (Spring).
pp. 132-143
Barry Lee Myers, 1977. Guest Column, ``Big Flood Loss Target.''
Centre Daily Times, May
Barry Lee Myers, 1976. ``Flood Insurance: The Legal Tide Rises
Again or what Happens When You Put a Wolf in Sheep's
Clothing.'' Law and the Management Process: Recent Legal
Developments and Teaching Methods. pp, 67-79
Barry Lee Myers, 1976. ``Flood Disaster Protection Act of
1973.'' American Business Law Journal. Vol. 13, (Winter), pp.
315-333
Barry Lee Myers, 1976. ``American Land Planning Law--Review of
the Five Volume Work by Norman Williams, Jr.'' American
Business Law Journal, Vol. 14, (Fall), pp. 277-279
Barry Lee Myers, 1976. Flood Insurance: The Legal Tide Rises
Again or What Happens When You Put a Wolf in Sheep's Clothing.
The Center for the Study of Environment Policy. The
Pennsylvania State University. March
Staff Editor, American Business Law Journal. 1976-1980
Barry Lee Myers & Myers, J. N. 1974. ``How Users Benefit from
Private Weather Forecasts.'' Rural and Urban Roads. vol. 12,
No. 6, June, p. 17
Barry Lee Myers, 1974. Selected Legal Issues Associated with
Planning Land Uses in a Riverine Area, The Center for the Study
of Environmental! Policy. The Pennsylvania State University.
April
Barry Lee Myers & Myers, J. N. 1974. ``Rain or Snow. It Pays to
Know.'' Public Works Magazine. January, pp 48-50.
Barry Lee Myers, et al. Legal Problems Associated with Planning
Land Uses in a Riverine Area, University Park, PA: The Center
for the Study of Environmental Policy. 207 pp. March
Barry Lee Myers & Myers, J. N., 1973, ''Snow Warning, How
Private Meteorologists Help.'' Cities and Villages. Columbus,
Ohio. Vol. 21, No. !2. December, pp. 9-10. Reprinted in Ohio
County Engineering News, February
Barry Lee Myers & Myers, J. N. 1972. ``How Private
Meteorologists Help:' The Pennsylvanian October, p. 25.
Reprinted in Cities and Villages, Vol. 21, No. 12, December, pp
9-10. Reprinted in Ohio County Engineering News. February, 1973
Senator Sullivan. Thank you, Mr. Myers, for that opening
statement.
I want to note at the outset Mr. Myers has received over 40
letters of support, including letters from Dr. Conrad
Lautenbacher, a former NOAA Administrator; Dr. Elizabeth
Weatherhead, a co-recipient of the 2007 Nobel Prize; and Mark
Abbott, President and Director of the Woods Hole Oceanographic
Institution, among others. I ask unanimous consent that they be
included in the record for this hearing. Without objection.
[The letters referred to follow:]
Quantum Spatial, Inc.
St. Petersburg, FL, September 8, 2017
Hon. John Thune,
Chairman,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Dan Sullivan,
Chairman,
Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Bill Nelson,
Ranking Minority Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Gary Peters,
Ranking Minority Member,
Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Thune, Chairman Sullivan, Ranking Member Nelson and
Ranking Member Peters:
As the Chief Executive Officer of Quantum Spatial, Inc., I want to
express our support for the President's nomination of Rear Admiral
(Ret.) Tim Gallaudet to be the next Deputy Administrator of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Quantum
Spatial, a contractor to NOAA for its coastal mapping mission, is the
Nation's largest independent geospatial data firm with offices and
facilities throughout the United States.
Dr. Gallaudet, until his retirement, was a Rear Admiral in the U.S.
Navy whose most recent assignment was Oceanographer of the Navy and
Commander of the Navy Meteorology and Oceanography Command. During his
32 years of service, Dr. Gallaudet has had experience in weather and
ocean forecasting, hydrographic surveying, developing policy and plans
to counter illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing, and assessing
the national security impacts of climate change. Dr. Gallaudet has led
teams of Navy Sailors and civilians performing such diverse functions
as overseeing aircraft carrier combat operations, planning and
conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts,
assisting Navy SEAL Teams during high visibility counter-terrorism
operations, and developing the Navy's annual $52 billion information
technology, cyber security, and intelligence budget. Dr. Gallaudet
holds a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Naval Academy and master's and
doctoral degrees from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, all in
oceanography. Admiral Gallaudet's multi-faceted background makes him
uniquely suited to be NOAA's next Deputy Administrator. With its
mission to understand, predict, and share information about changes in
climate, weather, ocean, and coasts and to conserve and manage our
Nation's vast coastal and marine ecosystems and resources, NOAA will
thrive under his leadership.
Along with our strong endorsement of Admiral Gallaudet's
nomination, Quantum Spatial notes that the Administration has not yet
nominated the next NOAA Administrator. Various press reports have
identified Mr. Barry Lee Myers as the leading candidate for this
important position. Mr. Myers, an active member of the American
Meteorological Society, is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
of AccuWeather, Inc. in State College, Pennsylvania. Prior to becoming
The AccuWeather CEO in 2007, Mr. Myers was the company's Executive Vice
President and General Counsel. Since 1990, Mr. Myers has been a member
of the Board of Directors of the American Weather and Climate Industry
Association, the weather industry's trade association, serving as the
industry's chief federal-relations officer. Mr. Myers was an original
member of NOAA's Environmental Information Services Working Group
(EISWG).
EISWG advises the NOAA Science Advisory Board on the condition and
capabilities of improving communications among the various public,
private, and academic entities engaged in environmental information
issues.
Mr. Myers with his expertise in the private sector weather
industry, and Admiral Gallaudet with expertise in ocean and coastal
matters that relate to science and national security would give NOAA a
very powerful leadership team. Quantum Spatial urges the Administration
to nominate the next NOAA Administrator as quickly as possible and for
the Senate to confirm both the NOAA Administrator and Deputy
Administrator appointments at the first available opportunity. It is
important that NOAA have its complete leadership team on board as soon
as possible, particularly as this Nation faces a very active hurricane
season at the present time along with all of the consequences of such
storms--such as storm surge, coastal flooding issues, etc.
Thank you for the opportunity to express these views and we look
forward to a speedy and productive confirmation process for the new
leadership team at NOAA.
Sincerely
Robert Hickey,
Chief Executive Officer,
Quantum Spatial, Inc.
______
September 12, 2017
Hon. John Thune,
Chairman,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Dan Sullivan,
Chairman,
Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Bill Nelson,
Ranking Minority Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Gary Peters,
Ranking Minority Member,
Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Thune, Chairman Sullivan, Ranking Member Nelson and
Ranking Member Peters:
On behalf of the National Association of Marine Laboratories
(NAML), I wish to express NAML's strong support for the President's
nomination of Rear Admiral (Ret.) Tim Gallaudet to be the next Deputy
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA). NAML, first established in 1985 with nearly a dozen separate
marine laboratories, has grown into a network of over 100 institutions
operated by universities, non-profit organizations, and local, state,
and Federal governments that focus on the ocean, coasts and Great
Lakes.
Starting with his degrees in oceanography from a world-class
institution and culminating in his time as Oceanographer and Navigator
of the Navy, Admiral Gallaudet's multi-faceted background makes him
uniquely suited to be NOAA's next Deputy Administrator. With his
mission to understand, predict, and share information about changes in
climate, weather, ocean, and coasts and to conserve and manage our
Nation's vast coastal and marine ecosystems and resources, NOAA will
thrive under his leadership,
Along with NAML's endorsement of Admiral Gallaudet's nomination,
NAML is concerned that the Administration has not yet nominated the
next NOAA Administrator. Various press reports have identified Mr.
Barry Lee Myers as the leading candidate for this important position,
Mr. Myers, an active member of the American Meteorological Society, is
currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AccuWeather, Inc. in
State College, Pennsylvania. Prior to becoming The AccuWeather CEO in
2007, Mr. Myers was the company's Executive Vice President and General
Counsel. Since 1990, Mr. Myers has been a member of the Board of
Directors of the American Weather and Climate Industry Association, the
weather industry's trade association, serving as the industry's chief
federal-relations officer. Mr. Myers was an original member of NOAA's
Environmental Information Services Working Group (EISWG). EISWG advises
the NOAA Science Advisory Board on the condition and capabilities of
improving communications among the various public, private, and
academic entities engaged in environmental information issues.
Mr. Myers with his expertise in the weather industry, and Admiral
Gallaudet with expertise in ocean and coastal matters that relate to
science and national security would give NOAA a very powerful
leadership team. We want to strongly encourage the Administration to
nominate the next NOAA Administrator as quickly as possible and for the
Senate to confirm both the NOAA Administrator and Deputy Administrator
appointments at the first available opportunity. It is important that
NOAA have its complete leadership team on board as soon as possible,
particularly as this Nation is in the midst of a very active hurricane
season that requires the observational and predictive capabilities
required to protect the lives and livelihoods of millions of citizens
facing the consequences (storm surge, coastal flooding) of these
powerful storms.
Thank you for the opportunity to express these views and we look
forward to a speedy and productive confirmation process for the new
leadership team at NOAA.
Sincerely
Michael P. DeLuca,
President,
National Association of Marine Laboratories.
Senior Associate Director,
Office of Research,
New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station,
Rutgers University.
Manager,
Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Director,
New Jersey Aquaculture Innovation Center.
cc: Honorable Cory Booker
Honorable Robert Menendez
______
October 24, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson, and Members of the Committee:
As past co-chairs of the Environmental Information Services Working
Group (EISWG) of the NOAA Science Advisory Board, we are very pleased
to provide this letter of support for the nomination of Barry Lee Myers
for Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA
Administrator.
For seven years (2009-2016), Mr. Myers served as an active member
of the EISWG where we worked closely on numerous topics impacting NOAA,
such as satellites, weather, oceans, and research. Therefore, we know
well and value Mr. Myers' deep level of knowledge of the weather
enterprise and commitment to NOAA.
During Mr. Myers' tenure on the EISWG, we provided guidance to NOAA
leadership on areas such as climate services, how NOAA might better
engage and strengthen partnerships with the private sector, and the
significant need and opportunity for open data. While these topics were
addressed in formal reports, EISWG's portfolio extended to all of the
NOAA line offices and focused on considering how to best deliver NOAA's
vast and valuable environmental information resources to the Nation for
improved decision making.
Our work with Mr. Myers illustrated that he has a broad level of
knowledge of NOAA science and operations and understands the important
contributions of the private and academic sectors to NOAA's programs.
We are pleased to provide this letter of support and are available if
you should need any additional information.
Sincerely,
Nancy Colleton,
Past EISWG Co-Chair (2009-16)
President,
Institute for Globe Environmental Strategies.
Walter F. Dabberdt, PhD,
Past EISWG Co-Chair (2009-16),
NCAR Associate Director Emeritus,
Vaisala Chief Science Officer (ret.).
______
October 25, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
We the undersigned endorse the nomination of Barry Lee Myers for
the NOAA Administrator position. We believe he possesses the strategic
vision and executive leadership skills to strengthen NOAA's critical
contributions to the Nation.
For over twenty (20) years, we have worked with Mr. Myers during
our tenures as Directors of the National Weather Service (NWS) and we
have worked with him in other capacities for over thirty (30) years. We
have found him to be open to, and have a keen sense for, the great
potential of science and technology to benefit and strengthen their
impact on society. Furthermore, he has been a strong advocate for the
synergies that could be gained from partnerships among the public,
private, and academic sectors. He has played a leading role, working
with us directly, and also collaboratively through the American
Meteorological Society, in forging a strong and productive partnership
among the weather industry, the research community, and NWS in support
of the needs of the Nation, not just the sector in which he worked. His
efforts were always focused on capitalizing on science, technology, and
people to improve the safety of Americans when hurricanes, tornadoes
and other severe weather threaten.
We recognize, as does he, the mission of NOAA spans considerably
more than just NWS--including oceans, coasts. fisheries and climate.
Through our experience working with Mr. Myers, we have seen a person
capable of leading a large enterprise underpinned by complex science
and technologies required to meet demanding mission needs. We have seen
a leader who assembles challenges, inspires, and listens to a team with
the necessary skill sets to produce strong and successful results. His
success at AccuWeather, a science and technology based company, speaks
for itself.
At a time when the impacts of adverse weather and climate, and
concerns over the world's environment and the Nation's fisheries are
significant; competing budget needs are stressing government agencies;
and the American people are demanding more efficiency from their
Federal Government, we know Mr. Myers brings the kind of needed
leadership, vision, business acumen, organizational management, and
fierce determination to lead NOAA and advance its critical
contributions to the Nation.
This is a unique opportunity for the Nation. We urge his
confirmation.
Sincerely,
Signatories.
Elbert (Joe) Friday, Jr., PhD
Colonel, USAF (Ret)
Director, NWS 1988-1997
Director, NOAA Research 1997-1998
Director, Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, National Academy
of Sciences 1998-2003
Professor Emeritus, The University of Oklahoma
Past President, Honorary Member, and Fellow of the American
Meteorological Society
John J. (Jack) Kelly
Brig Gen, USAF (ret)
Director, NWS 1998-2004
Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce, Oceans and Atmosphere, 2004-2007
David L. Johnson
Brig Gen, USAF (ret)
Director, NWS 2004-2007
John L. (Jack) Hayes, PhD
Colonel (ret)
Director, NWS 2007-2012
Deputy Director, NOAA Research 2005-2006
Deputy Director, National Ocean Service 2004-2005
______
WeatherCall Services, LLC
October 30, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
It is my great pleasure to endorse the nomination of Barry Lee
Myers for Under-Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as
the Administrator of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
He possesses the strategic vision, business management and executive
leadership skills to help strengthen NOAA and improve its critical
services to the Nation.
As the founder and CEO of a small company that disseminates
critical National Weather Service warnings to the public and industry,
I urge you to vote to approve the nomination of Barry Lee Myers. The
American economy is inextricably linked to weather. Thus far, we have
had a series of NOAA Administrators whose experiences have been in
academic and research areas of the earth sciences.
While not a scientist, Mr. Myers has led one of the most successful
private companies in the Weather Enterprise and brings a wealth of
experience on the business side of meteorology that NOAA has never seen
before. Our American Weather Enterprise, which I collectively include
NWS as part of, is in need of a serious change in direction and vision
from ``business as usual''. I know Mr. Myers has the skills and
experience to accomplish this.
Barry Myers will be an outstanding leader for NOAA. I urge his
confirmation.
Sincerely,
Valerie E. Sanders,
President/Meteorologist,
WeatherCall Services, LLC.
______
October 30, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
It is my pleasure to endorse the nomination of Mr. Barry Lee Myers
for Under-Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as the
Administrator of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
I have known Barry, personally and professionally for almost 30
years. I know him to be a man of the utmost integrity, professional
competence and dedication to the services of our atmospheric and
oceanic science to our fellow citizens, society, the U.S. economy and
the world. Barry has been a innovative and passionate leader in the
broad weather, oceanic, climate ``enterprise'' which encompasses all
the sectors critical to the advances of the service of science to
society, the academic, private and public sectors.
I served on the National Research Council committee, which wrote
the landmark ``Fair Weather'' report of 2003. The vision of that report
is in the process of being realized through the growing ``effective
partnerships in weather and climate services''. Barry Myers is a known
and highly respected leader in a core sector of that partnership.
I believe Barry Myers, together with the leadership team of
dedicated, preeminent scientists within NOAA, academia, other agencies
and the private sector will be a champion for NOAA and its largest
division, our National Weather Service whose core mission for the
American people is the protection of the lives and property.
This past year we have seen the tragic human and economic impacts
of historic floods, hurricanes, drought, wildfires, heat and more. Our
ability as a coordinated weather/climate enterprise to increase
forecast accuracy, response, preparation and recovery on time scales
from minutes to decades is more important than ever, as we have seen.
NOAA leadership is drawn from the best talent from all sectors of
our economy. Experienced and tested leadership for the scientific
services is needed in the challenging years ahead.
I believe Barry Myers is a first class choice to be our next NOAA
Administrator. He is a proven successful leader who can bridge barriers
and organization ``turf'' which have at times limited the rapid
progress and change needed to continue the preeminence of U.S. Science
in the atmospheric, oceanic and hydrologic sciences.
I urge his confirmation by the United States Senate.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Ryan,
CCM (Certified Consulting Meteorologist),
Retired NBC4 Chief Meteorologist,
Honorary Member, Fellow and Past President,
American Meteorological Society.
______
Mike Smith Enterprises, LLC
Wichita, KS, November 6, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
It is my great pleasure to endorse the nomination of Barry Lee
Myers for Under-Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as
the Administrator of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
He possesses the strategic vision, business management and executive
leadership skills to help strengthen NOAA and improve its critical
services to the Nation.
I have known Barry since the Reagan Administration. We have worked
together to strengthen the entire weather enterprise: to create better
forecasts, warnings and atmospheric data for the Nation at large. There
is no doubt in my mind that NOAA will benefit from Barry's creative
leadership.
Mike Smith Enterprises, LLC is a commercial weather company based
in Wichita that provides a number of services to groups large and small
across the Nation.
Barry Myers will be an outstanding leader for NOAA. I urge his
confirmation.
Sincerely,
Michael R. Smith,
President/Owner,
Mike Smith Enterprises, LLC.
______
American Weather and Climate Industry Association
Edmond, OK, November 6, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
It is my great pleasure to endorse the nomination of Barry Lee
Myers for Under-Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as
the Administrator of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
He possesses the strategic vision, business management and executive
leadership skills to help strengthen NOAA and improve its critical
services to the Nation.
I have known Barry Myers and have been aware of his achievements
for more than 35-years. In the eighties and nineties, a period when
rapid technological growth fueled an insatiable demand for value added
weather information, AccuWeather, under Barry's direction, levered raw,
nearly meaningless weather and environmental data being made available
into easy-to-understand, colorful, and valuable end-user products. As
this same technology evolution overtook media, and as the weather
became news on a daily basis, he helped to cause weather to be the
single most accessed piece of information watched, listened for, or
selected on radio, television, the wired web, and mobile devices. For
much of this history, I was able to watch Barry brilliantly orchestrate
servicing this demand. While Barry has no formal meteorological degree,
yet clearly, he understands weather. As America's weather industry
developed and matured during those years, Barry came to appreciate the
value each sector represented within the Enterprise, but more
importantly, he recognized their value and affinity of each sector to
each other. Since 1990, Barry has served as a member of the Board of
Directors of the AWCIA, the weather industry's trade association
serving as the industry's chief federal-relations office. More
recently, he has served as a member of the Environmental Information
Services Working Group (EISWG), to provide ongoing advice to the
National Weather Service on improving communications among the sectors
(public, private and academic). Through Barry's promotion, former NWS
directors have appointed key weather industry individuals as advisors
on U.S. delegations to the World Meteorological Organization, allowing
joint groups to advance national and international issues. Barry's
efforts have resulted in prominent AWCIA companies jointly supporting
NOAA/NWS budgets. In many ways with Barry's direct involvement,
Enterprise sectors have extended greater cooperation resulting in a
higher level of clarity on sector roles for the first time in decades.
Because of these achievements and for his unwavering belief that a
strong and unified Enterprise is good for all sectors, Barry Myers is
recognized as an expert in weather information exchange and public/
private relationships in the weather field.
Everyone ends up somewhere, but few end up somewhere on purpose. I
am an avid believer in ``the butterfly effect''. It happens all of the
time, and because of Barry Myers, it has happened to America's Weather
and Climate Enterprise.
In our case, Barry has nudged us, perhaps just above a perceptible
level. This nudging has caused sector leaders to pause, to consider
path changes, to analyze new ideas, and contemplate new directions, and
envision new efforts and applications, which not only impacted sector
leaders, but impacted those whom they impacted, then in turn those that
they impacted, and so on . . . essentially, multiple levels of
``generations'' of impacts have been made for the benefit of our
Enterprise. How naive we are when we discount and ignore those internal
feelings to make a difference, to suggest that thought, promote that
idea, to advance mutual support. We all lose, forever. Thankfully for
America's Weather Enterprise, that was not the case with Bany Myers.
AWCIA members are businesses that have a significant impact on how
weather information is collected, disseminated and enhanced to provide
custom services to weather-sensitive businesses as well as the general
public. AWCIA members build weather sensors, implement government
weather programs, broadcast weather presentations, disseminate raw
government and privately-owned weather data, generate weather products
and services, and provide specialized services to a wide variety of
markets.
We are the ``value-added provider'' or extension to the Government
supplied weather data because we assimilate and tailor the information
for specific uses. Our member corporations employ from 2-1000+
employees and cover a wide spectrum of capabilities and sizes. I have
been the president of this organization since the late 1990s. I have
been a professional meteorologist, rendering professional services
since 1972.
Barry Myers will be an outstanding leader for NOAA. I urge his
confirmation.
Sincerely,
Steven A. Root,
Certified Consulting Meteorologist,
AMS Fellow,
President,
AWCIA.
______
Weather Decision Technologies, Inc.
Norman, OK, November 6, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
It is my great pleasure to endorse the nomination of Barry Lee
Myers for Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as
the Administrator of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
He possesses the strategic vision, business management and executive
leadership skills to help strengthen NOAA and improve its critical
services to the Nation.
I have known Mr. Myers for more than a decade as he and I have, in
parallel, grown our weather information companies. We have had a long
partnership and he has always been a professional and a visionary for
his company and for the entire Weather Enterprise.
As background, I am the President and CEO and a co-founder of
Weather Decision Technologies, Inc. a Norman, Oklahoma based company
with 90 employees. I am a Fellow of the American Meteorological
Society and have been on a number of committees for that Society.
Bany Myers will be an outstanding leader for NOAA. I urge his
confirmation.
Sincerely,
Michael D. Eilts,
President and CEO,
Weather Decision Technologies, Inc.
______
November 6, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
It is my great pleasure to endorse the nomination of Bany Lee Myers
for Under-Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as the
Administrator of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. He
possesses the strategic vision, business management and executive
leadership skills to help strengthen NOAA and improve its critical
services to the Nation.
During his tenure as CEO of AccuWeather, he has been a true leader
of the American weather industry. He is also a champion in promoting
stronger partnership among government agencies, private companies, and
the academic community to improve weather forecasting for the Nation
and the world, which can be partially reflected in his congressional
testimony in support for the Weather Research and Forecasting
Innovation Act of 2017.
On a personal level, I witness through our numerous exchanges that
he has a deep respect for science and scientists; he has been always
welcoming to me, prompt in response, and respectful to my advice and
scientific reasonings. He certainly shares with us in the academics the
same vision on the need for building a national numerical weather
prediction system second to none, the need for enhanced observations
such as from satellites for monitoring and predicting severe and
hazardous weather, the need for sustained and enhanced Federal
government investment.
I currently, reside in State College, Pennsylvania, which is in
close proximity to AccuWeather, the world largest weather company that
Mr. Myers leads. Professionally, I am a tenured full professor in the
Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences with a joint
appointment in the Department of Statistics at the Penn State
University. I also direct the Penn State Center for Advanced Data
Assimilation and Predictability Techniques (ADAPT). My research focuses
on the fundamental understanding of atmospheric predictability, the
underlying dynamics and uncertainties that limit the accuracy of
prediction at different scales, and the design of advanced data
assimilation techniques with innovative uses of radar and satellite
observations that have led to significant improvements in the analysis
and forecast of severe weather and tropical cyclones. I have authored
over 200 peer-reviewed publications and has served on evaluation panels
or advisory committees for numerous government agencies and societies,
as well providing expert advice for several weather-related private
businesses.
In closing, I personally believe that Barry Myers will be an
outstanding leader for NOAA. I urge his confirmation.
Sincerely,
Fuqing Zhang, Ph.D.,
Professor, Department of Meteorology and Department of Statistics,
Director, Center for Advanced Data Assimilation and Predictability
Techniques,
The Pennsylvania State University.
Elected fellow of the American Meteorological Society (AMS)
Recipient of the AMS Clarence Meisinger Award, 2009
Recipient of the AMS the Banner Miller Award. 2015
Disclaimer: The titles, Awards and affiliations listed above is for my
professional identification. The endorsement expressed in this letter
is my own and does not necessarily reflect the views of Penn State
University or AMS.
______
Vieux & Associates, Inc.
November 7, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
It is my great pleasure to endorse the nomination of Barry Lee
Myers for Under-Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as
the Administrator of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
He possesses the strategic vision, business management and executive
leadership skills to help strengthen NOAA and improve its critical
services to the Nation.
I served with Mr. Myers for three years on the NOAA Environmental
Information Services Working Group (EISWG) and was impressed with his
clarity of thought and care for our Nation. Protecting life and
property is his top priority.
As a woman-owned Oklahoma S-corporation, our firm serves clients by
providing radar-based rainfall estimates and advanced hydrologic
modeling software and services. Municipalities, including Washington,
D.C., St. Louis, Cincinnati, Miami-Dade, Houston, Los Angeles, and East
Bay Municipal Utility District have benefited from our service.
Recently, we leveraged our products and services, along with those of
NOAA, to enhance our newest software, a flood management common
operating picture for the City of Austin.
Barry Myers will be an outstanding leader for NOAA. I urge his
confirmation.
Sincerely,
Jean E. Vieux,
President/CEO,
Vieux & Associates, Inc.
______
GeoOptics, Inc.
Pasadena, CA, November 7, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
It is my great pleasure to endorse the nomination of Barry Lee
Myers for Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and
Administrator of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA). He possesses the strategic vision, business management and
executive leadership skills to help strengthen NOAA and improve its
critical services to the Nation.
Barry possesses a background uniquely tailored to serve as the NOAA
Administrator. He excelled for many years as an all-star professor at a
leading business school while also accumulating comprehensive knowledge
of meteorology gained from long term involvement with the leading
commercial weather company of our time. He then went on to prove his
outstanding leadership and management capabilities as the AccuWeather
CEO.
Based on my experience as a former NOAA Administrator from 2001-
2008, and now involved in leading an environmental data enterprise, I
view Barry as an ideal candidate for this assignment. I urge his
confirmation!
Sincerely,
Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr Ph.D.,
Vice Admiral USN, retired,
CEO, GeoOptics, Inc.
______
Radiometrics Corporation
Boulder, CO, November 7, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
It is my great pleasure to endorse the nomination of Barry Lee
Myers for Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as
the Administrator of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
He possesses the strategic vision, business management and executive
leadership skills to help strengthen NOAA and improve its critical
services to the Nation.
I have seen Barry's leadership contributions to the AWCIA. He
brings valuable leadership skills and an excellent view of government-
private partnerships that will make the NOAA mission more successful.
Radiometrics manufactures state-of-the-art atmospheric instruments
to improve short term weather forecasts located in Boulder, Colorado.
Barry Myers will be an outstanding leader for NOAA. I urge his
confirmation.
Sincerely,
Dick Rochester,
CEO,
Radiometrics Corporation.
______
National Weather Forecasting, LLC
Lodi, NJ, November 8, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee:
It is my utmost and sincere pleasure to endorse the nomination of
Barry Lee Myers for Under-Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and
Atmosphere and as the Administrator of the National Oceanic Atmospheric
Administration. He possesses the strategic vision, business management
and executive leadership skills to help strengthen NOAA and improve its
critical services to the Nation.
National Weather Forecasting worked closely with Mr. Myers on
government relations issues as members of the American Weather and
Climate Industry Association (AWCIA). We look forward to his leadership
at NOAA. No one is better suited to understand the challenges to forge
greater collaboration between the private and public sectors.
My company, in business for 32 years, is based at Teterboro Airport
in northern N.J., just outside NYC in northern N.J. An excellent
location for business. We provide private weather consulting to a range
of clients in the tri state area here in NJ, NY and CT (also eastern
PA). Our specialty is storm forecasting for DPW's, Highway Departments,
School Districts, Large Companies such as Johnson & Johnson
Headquarters and many others. We pride ourselves in providing an
excellent and accurate weather consulting service to our client base.
Barry Myers will be an outstanding leader for NOAA. I urge his
confirmation.
Sincerely,
Daniel Ventola,
President,
National Weather Forecasting, LLC.
______
Atmospheric & Space Technology Research Associates, LLC
November 13, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
It is my great pleasure to endorse the nomination of Barry Lee
Myers for Under-Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as
the Administrator of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
He possesses the strategic v1s1on, business management and executive
leadership skills to help strengthen NOAA and improve its critical
services to the Nation.
In a time of shrinking budgets and increased accountability, NOAA
faces a number of important challenges in the next few years. While he
is not the scientist that some at NOAA had been hoping for, Barry Myers
is a successful businessman who can be expected to bring much needed
discipline and focus to NOAA. Mr. Myers is an experienced manager of
scientists and engineers, and as such he is well qualified to lead
NOAA. His experience with commercial weather data and his understanding
that the commercial sector can do things faster, better and cheaper
will help NOAA leverage the capabilities of the private sector in a way
they have been reluctant to do. Barry Myers brings executive leadership
of the highest caliber, and I believe he will be good for NOAA, and
good for the country.
ASTRA is a Small Business located in Boulder, CO. We are one of the
leading U.S. commercial organizations providing space weather services
and products. We have developed a new model of the upper atmosphere
that is being transitioned to the USAF Joint Space Operations Center
(JSpOC) at Vandenberg AFB. We have developed and flown a number of
Cubesats, with several others currently under construction for NASA,
NSF and the DoD. We have also developed and deployed an instrument for
monitoring conditions in the ionosphere that can degrade and disrupt
GPS signals and UHF satellite communications for both the DoD and
commercial providers. Two of these systems are about to be deployed on
NOAA buoys in the Pacific, and we have an array of systems distributed
across Alaska. We recently provided GPS receivers to NOAA to permit
tidal measurements in Alaska.
ASTRA is a proud member of the American Commercial Space Weather
Association (ACSWA), an association dedicated to improving America's
competitive edge in space. We represent about 20 small businesses in
this sector, and have frequent interactions with NOAA personnel.
I believe Bany Myers will be an outstanding leader for NOAA, and I
urge his confirmation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Geoff Crowley, Ph.D.,
President and Chief Scientist,
ASTRA LLC.
______
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI, November 13, 2017
Hon. Debbie Stabenow,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
ATTN: Matt Van Kuiken, Chief of Staff
Dear Senator Stabenow:
The President has recently nominated Mr. Barry Lee Myers to be the
next Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA). Michigan Tech, through its Great Lakes Research
Center, partners with NOAA on a variety of issues such as the use of
autonomous subsurface technology, autonomous subsurface vehicle
development and deployment, regional observing systems, aerosol
chemistry, and the impact of warming waters on the coastal food chain.
Michigan Tech believes it is important for NOAA to have its entire
leadership team in place as quickly as possible. As such, we are
pleased to offer our support for the nomination of Barry Myers to be
the next NOAA Administrator.
Mr. Myers, an active member of the American Meteorological Society,
is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AccuWeather, Inc. in
State College, Pennsylvania. Prior to becoming The AccuWeather CEO in
2007, Mr. Myers was the company's Executive Vice President and General
Counsel. Since 1990, Mr. Myers has been a member of the Board of
Directors of the American Weather and Climate Industry Association, the
weather industry's trade association, serving as the industry's chief
federal-relations officer. Mr. Myers was an original member of NOAA's
Environmental Information Services Working Group (EISWG). EISWG advises
the NOAA Science Advisory Board on the condition and capabilities of
improving communications among the various public, private, and
academic entities engaged in environmental information issues.
Mr. Myers with his expertise in the weather sector, and Admiral
Gallaudet (now confirmed and sworn in as NOAA's Deputy Administrator)
with his expertise in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes matters would
give NOAA a very powerful leadership team. We understand that Mr.
Myers' nomination is pending before the Senate Commerce, Science, and
Transportation Committee. We hope the Committee will consider Mr.
Myers' nomination favorably and the Senate will act expeditiously to
confirm him.
Thank you for the opportunity to express these views and to
register our support for the new leadership team proposed for NOAA.
Sincerely,
Glenn D. Mroz,
President.
______
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI, November 13, 2017
Hon. Gary Peters,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
ATTN: Eric Feldman, Chief of Staff
Dear Senator Peters:
The President has recently nominated Mr. Barry Lee Myers to be the
next Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA). Michigan Tech, through its Great Lakes Research
Center, partners with NOAA on a variety of issues such as the use of
autonomous subsurface technology, autonomous subsurface vehicle
development and deployment, regional observing systems, aerosol
chemistry, and the impact of warming waters on the coastal food chain.
Michigan Tech believes it is important for NOAA to have its entire
leadership team in place as quickly as possible. As such, we are
pleased to offer our support for the nomination of Barry Myers to be
the next NOAA Administrator.
Mr. Myers, an active member of the American Meteorological Society,
is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AccuWeather, Inc. in
State College, Pennsylvania. Prior to becoming The AccuWeather CEO in
2007, Mr. Myers was the company's Executive Vice President and General
Counsel. Since 1990, Mr. Myers has been a member of the Board of
Directors of the American Weather and Climate Industry Association, the
weather industry's trade association, serving as the industry's chief
federal-relations officer. Mr. Myers was an original member of NOAA's
Environmental Information Services Working Group (EISWG). EISWG advises
the NOAA Science Advisory Board on the condition and capabilities of
improving communications among the various public, private, and
academic entities engaged in environmental information issues.
Mr. Myers with his expertise in the weather sector, and Admiral
Gallaudet (now confirmed and sworn in as NOAA's Deputy Administrator)
with his expertise in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes matters would
give NOAA a very powerful leadership team. We understand that Mr.
Myers' nomination is pending before the Senate Commerce, Science, and
Transportation Committee. We hope the Committee will consider Mr.
Myers' nomination favorably and the Senate will act expeditiously to
confirm him.
Thank you for the opportunity to express these views and to
register our support for the new leadership team proposed for NOAA.
Sincerely,
Glenn D. Mroz,
President.
______
Perfero Advisory LLC
14 November, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
It is my great pleasure to endorse the nomination of Barry Lee
Myers for Under-Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as
the Administrator of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
He possesses the strategic vision, business management and executive
leadership skills to help strengthen NOAA and improve its critical
services to the Nation.
I worked with Barry in his capacity as CEO of AccuWeather while in
my capacity as President & COO of a satellite-based commercial weather
data services company, GeoOptics. His approach to professional
relationships is direct and above board. His contributions to the
national and international ``'weather enterprise'' were insightful,
valuable and prescient.
Today, I am an advisor and consult to large and small engineering,
aerospace and critical infrastructure companies--throughout the U.S.
and around the globe. I live just outside Philadelphia in Gladwyne,
Pennsylvania in the 2nd Congressional District of Pennsylvania.
Barry Myers will be an outstanding leader for NOAA and for our
country. I urge his confirmation.
Sincerely,
Jonathan P. Kirchner,
Managing Director,
Perfero Advisory LLC.
______
November 14, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
It is my great pleasure to endorse the nomination of Barry Lee
Myers for Under-Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as
Administrator of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. He
possesses the strategic vision, business management and executive
leadership skills to help strengthen NOAA and improve its critical
services to the Nation.
I have known Barry Myers for over 15 years from his hard and
diligent work within the American Meteorological Society--Weather,
Water and Climate Enterprise. There are few that fight as hard as Barry
to make sure that the entire enterprise has the tools to be the best at
forecasting, research and keeping our Nation weather ready! Barry has
fostered connections from the government to private sector on the value
of weather, climate and water information. Additionally, Barry has been
instrumental in educating policy makers on the needs of everything from
ocean data to improved weather satellites. I am proud to say, I have
had the opportunity to work on committees alongside Barry that address
those needs and concerns. Barry is a great leader, but he is also a big
supporter of those like myself in the weather and climate user
community. As a local television meteorologist in Washington, D.C., I
feel confident that Barry will protect what works, but also look for
innovative ways to inform the public of natural disasters. Barry Myers
will be an outstanding leader for NOAA. I urge his confirmation.
Sincerely,
Veronica Johnson,
Broadcast Meteorologist,
Show Host & Producer,
WJLA-TV ABC7 & NewsChannel8,
Washington, D.C.
______
November 16, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
I'm writing to express my support for Barry Myers' nomination for
Undersecretary for Oceans and Atmosphere at the Department of Commerce.
As the former Oceanographer of the Navy, President of the Consortium
for Ocean Research and Education (CORE) and having served on several
NOAA FACA committees, I believe that Barry Myers is well qualified to
lead the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Mr. Myers successfully created, led and nurtured AccuWeather to
become the world's largest weather corporation comprising thousands of
scientists and engineers. I have successfully led scientists and
research initiatives in Washington, D.C. and believe that Mr. Myers has
the expertise and skills necessary to lead and inspire NOAA scientists
that provide environmental forecasts at the core of NOAA's mission.
NOAA has traditionally struggled with transferring research to
operations. Throughout his career, Mr. Myers has successfully worked to
forge strategic partnerships with NOAA, the private sector and
academia. Effectively managing this three-legged stool is critical for
the agency's success and I believe that Mr. Myers private sector
experience will provide a much-needed focus on innovation and return on
investment for the U.S. taxpayer.
Data and knowledge transfer is a critical task as NOAA observes,
researchers and forecasts environmental conditions from the bottom of
the ocean to the surface of the sun. However, Federal science agencies
have also traditionally fell short with regards to delivering timely
information to businesses and the public. This is a strength that Mr.
Myers will bring to NOAA demonstrated by the success AccuWeather has
achieved in sharing weather forecasts to two billion mobile devices
every day.
As you know, satellite procurement issues have plagued NOAA and
many wet-side programs that are important to our Rhode Island and our
Nation have suffered as funds have been diverted to pay for cost
overruns. Consequently, I believe that Mr. Myers provides a unique
opportunity to get NOAA's ``dry-side'' house in order that will
ultimately benefit the entire agency.
Finally, Mr. Myers is assembling a very strong policy team,
including RDML Gallaudet, who will manage NOAA's wet-side programs. I
hope that you can support Mr. Myers nomination to lead NOAA so that the
agency can successfully provide the data, products and services to
protect lives and property in Rhode Island and across the Nation.
Sincerely,
RADM Richard West,
(USN-Ret), Coventry, Rhode Island.
______
University of Colorado at Boulder
November 16, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
I fully endorse the nomination of Barry Lee Myers for Under-
Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as the
Administrator of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. I
have known Mr. Myers for almost twenty-five years and understand his
character, insight, knowledge of the weather, water and climate
enterprise to be a strong fit for the challenging job offloading NOAA
to more productively serve this country.
Mr. Myers has the intellectual breadth and depth to deal with the
wide range of weather, coastal, satellite, climate and fishery issues
that face this nation. He is a visionary in his ability to identify
unique solutions and paths forward. He was one of the first to fully
explore providing weather information on cell phones-now a part of
every day life, but laughed at when he first proposed it. His company,
AccuWeather, introduced UV forecasts before the National Weather
Service did. He has a long history of successfully identifying both
problems and challenges and addressing them with solutions that are
often al1ead of his time.
Repeatedly, Mr. Myers has exhibited strong principles and respect
for this country's constitution and values. Because of his deep
insights on the subject, he has often been asked to address the
appropriate roles for public, private and academic sectors in public
fora. He led the American Climate and Weather Industry Association's
committee on Federal relations. He served on the Advisory Committee,
along with the head of the NOAA's National Weather Service and the head
of NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research on the American
Meteorological Society's Forecast Improvement Group, when I led this
effort. Mr. Myers has always been professional, constructive and firm
in his desire to lead this country into a stronger and more resilient
place as leaders of weather forecasting.
Throughout his career, Mr. Myers has displayed a broad range of
interests including law, weather, climate, federal-private
relationships and technological innovation. I trust that he will bring
much needed leadership to the position. His experience both as a lawyer
and as CEO of AccuWeather will assure that the cow1try' s needs be
appropriately and effectively addressed on the important issues of
weather, water and climate.
As a joint recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for climate
change, I have interacted with Mr. Myers on important issues to address
climate research and climate impacts, including coastal flooding and
severe weather. His expertise extends far beyond numerical weather
prediction. He is well respected for his intelligence, principles and
foresight on important issue related to weather forecasting and
environmental observations.
I have great confidence that Mr. Myers is prepared for the
challenges and responsibilities he will face in his future role leading
NOAA.
I fully support his nomination and I urge his confirmation.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth C. Weatherhead, Ph.D.,
Senior Scientist,
University of Colorado at Boulder.
______
American Sportfishing Association
Alexandria, VA, November 17, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Thune, Senator Nelson and Committee Members:
On behalf of the American Sportfishing Association, I would like to
express our support for the nomination of Mr. Barry Myers to be the
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, more commonly
referred to as the Administrator of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
ASA represents over 800 recreational fishing businesses from tackle
and apparel manufacturers to angling and conservation groups. NOAA is
an agency with which we have substantial involvement and interest.
Among the activities the agency provides are fisheries data and
science, nautical charts and accurate weather and ocean forecasts. A
well-managed and responsive NOAA is important to our industry,
conservation, and the angling community. Approximately 11 million
Americans are saltwater anglers, many of who fish in the EEZ or for
stocks for which NOAA has lead management authority. U.S. recreational
fishing in salt water is responsible for creating over $63 billion in
annual economic activity, and approximately 439 thousand American jobs.
Those 11 million American anglers and countless communities depend
on NOAA to conduct sound science, accurately count and forecast
fisheries populations and trends, and provide service. It is important
to have timely environmental information that is responsive to
constituent needs. It is important to have a NOAA that designs, builds
and operates environmental observing systems within cost and schedule--
a requirement that has proven elusive far too often in the past. Our
industry needs a NOAA that is transparent, and welcomes citizen/
customer input and feedback. Finally, in an era of tight budgetary
constraints, it is important to have a NOAA that is run efficiently,
innovates and focuses on improving products and output.
As an individual with significant entrepreneurial and management
experience, Barry Myers has the requisite knowledge, skills and
abilities to lead and direct an agency with an annual budget of almost
$6 billion and which employs approximately 12,000 people and supports
countless contractors and grantees across the Nation. Mr. Myers is a
manager who has the talent to take five NOAA line offices and get them
to operate as one unified agency. He has the private sector track
record that proves he understands technology modernization, lowering
the cost of doing business, and making products and services responsive
to the marketplace. He has significant experience in transitioning
research into operations and service, and stewardship. Frankly, this is
an area in which NOAA could improve under his leadership. For example,
NOAA fisheries science and research is too often divorced from the
needs of Fisheries Service Regional Directors and Fishery Management
Councils. Data needed to manage recreational1y important fisheries is
often accorded low priority and unavailable. As an example of the need
to bring innovation into the agency; the agency's current system for
estimating angler harvest relies on residential telephone surveys and
is moving to ``snail mail'' instead of taking advantage of the
revolution in mobile technology, long after the Nation has moved on.
Mr. Myers experience shows that he understands how to modernize science
and services through using smart phones and electronic data. NOAA's
atmospheric programs fully employ and integrate measurements and data
from many non-NOAA sources several times a day in the running of
supercomputer models and issuing forecasts. Yet, with NOAA fisheries
science, the agency continues to resist using data from fishermen,
cooperative observers and universities. It insists on using its own
data, but then states that independent data from NOAA Fisheries Vessels
arc not available, because ship time is unfunded. Again, Mr. Myers'
experience shows that he understands that data quality standards can be
created that allow the use of measurements from many non-Federal
sources.
Some groups have told the Committee that Mr. Myers nomination is
unacceptable because he lacks a doctorate in science. Like many leaders
in American industry, he instead holds a business degree, a Juris
Doctor degree, and has substantial real world experience in managing a
P&L statement and in making changes in products and services to compete
effectively in the marketplace. In fact, Mr. Myers led and grew an
environmental technology company that employs many employees who have
the same academic degrees as NOAA scientists. He has substantial
experience working with NOAA as a customer and partner, and has been
recognized by the American Meteorological Society. The issue shouldn't
be whether Mr. Myers has the specialized knowledge to design and
engineer a microwave sounder for NOAA's next generation of polar-
orbiting satellites, or is he trained in calculating maximum
sustainable yield (Or summer flounder. The qualification issue should
be does he understand as a leader the value of such systems and data
and what difference they make in NOAA products, whether to the accuracy
of a weather forecast or in determining sustainable fishing levels.
We believe that Barry Myers is well qualified to lead NOAA. He is
the type of leader who will seek to modernize programs and question
continuing to do business the old-fashioned way, just because that is
how it has always been done. He deserves the Committee's support.
With warm regards, I am
Sincerely,
Scott B. Gudes,
Vice President, Government Affairs,
American Sportfishing Association.
______
Carmel Research Center/Plasma Laboratory
Santa Monica, CA, November 17, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson, and Members of the Committee,
It is my great pleasure to endorse the nomination of Barry Lee
Myers for Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as
the Administrator of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
He possesses the strategic vision, business management and executive
leadership skills to help strengthen NOAA and improve its critical
services to the Nation.
We have long been aware of the supportive role of Mr. Myers working
effectively through the American Meteorological Society, developing
partnerships in the Weather Enterprise with other companies, academic
and research institutions and an unwavering support for the National
Weather Service. Numerous times he went to Congress to advocate for
NOAA and NWS. His efforts were always focused on societal benefits
based on science and technology to improve people's safety.
The Carmel Research Center's Space Plasma Laboratory is made up of
a unique combination of physicists, computer scientists, and
technologists. These teams work together to push the forefront of
science and technology and often times with NOAA. Among the many areas
of research conducted at CRC are Space Weather and Solar Wind studies.
At CRC we have teams of scientists working in several states in AK, CA,
CO, KS, and MA studying the Heliosphere.
CRC is a proud member of the American Commercial Space Weather
Association (ACSWA), an association dedicated to improving America's
competitive edge in space. ACSWA represents about 20 small businesses
in this sector, and have frequent interactions with NOAA scientists and
other personnel.
I believe that Barry Myers is highly qualified to lead NOAA. I urge
his confirmation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Devrie S. Intriligator,
Director.
______
Roffer's Ocean Fishing Forecasting Service, Inc.
West Melbourne, FL, November 17, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
I am endorsing the nomination of Barry Lee Myers for Under-
Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as the
Administrator of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. He
possesses the strategic vision, business management and executive
leadership skills to help strengthen NOAA and improve its critical
services to the Nation. I will be willing to assist him while in
office.
I have known Barry for many years and I believe that he will be an
outstanding leader for NOAA. I support his confirmation.
Sincerely,
Mitchell A. Roffer, Ph.D.,
President.
______
Space Environment Technologies
Pacific Palisades, CA, November 17, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
It is my great pleasure to endorse the nomination of Barry Lee
Myers for Under-Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as
the Administrator of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
He possesses the strategic vision, business management and executive
leadership skills to help strengthen NOAA and improve its critical
services to the Nation.
Our company, Space Environment Technologies, and our association,
the American Commercial Space Weather Association, have had the
pleasure of working with Mr. Myers during the past decade in areas
where tropospheric weather and space weather overlap. We believe Mr.
Myers will a strong advocate for the NOAA community, including oceans
and space weather, in addition to tropospheric weather based on his
experience in building a premier weather company in the U.S.
Space Environment Technologies (SET), as NOAA's first Weather Ready
Nation (WRN) Ambassador for space weather, is the foremost global
provider of commercial space weather data products and services. The
USAF, NOAA, NASA, NSF, research universities. and commercial aerospace
organizations are SET's customers. For example, SET has led the
development effort on a variety of tasks including:
the NOAA GOES-R EXIS and XRS instrument algorithms;
the USAF AFRL SBIR that developed a U.S. Dst real-time and
forecast index for use by USAF Space Command operational
systems;
the SET-generated solar irradiance indices' forecasts out to
72 hours, which SET provides operationally to the USAF in
support of daily updates to the NORAD satellite catalog;
the NASA NAIRAS global radiation model operational inputs
development;
the NASA SBIR program called ARMAS making real-time aircraft
radiation dose rate measurements; and
the NASA RADIAN project assimilating ARMAS data into NAIRAS
to create the ``weather'' of aviation radiation along a flight
path for use by operational air traffic.
Barry Myers will be an outstanding leader for NOAA and we urge his
confirmation.
Sincerely,
W. Kent Tobiska,
President,
Space Environment Technologies.
______
The Weather Group
Atlanta, GA, November 17, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Thune and Ranking Member Nelson,
It is my great pleasure to endorse the nomination of Barry Lee
Myers for Under-Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as
the Administrator of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA).
At The Weather Channel, we partner closely with NOAA, the National
Weather Service, FEMA, Depa1tment of Defense, and other federal, state,
and local agencies. Each month, 45 percent of American households watch
The Weather Channel for vital information to protect their families in
times of severe weather. For seven years in a row, Harris Poll has
ranked The Weather Channel as the most trusted news network in America.
None of this would be possible without our close partnership with NOAA.
Each day, our meteorologists rely on the satellite data, robust
computer models, surge flood forecasts, local alerts, and local
insights of NOAA and the National Weather Service. We often bring
members of these agencies on our air and share scientific insights as
weather patterns develop.
We have to innovate constantly to compete in the changing media
landscape. Our partnership with NOAA is vital and I welcome fresh
thinking in that relationship. Over the past few years, I have come to
know Barry Myers as a tough but fair competitor. I respect his long-
standing dedication to the weather enterprise. He will bring strong
executive leadership and a business-savvy point of view to NOAA. This
injection of new ideas will strengthen NOAA as it provides vital
information and services to America.
Barry Myers will be an outstanding leader for NOAA. I urge his
confirmation.
Sincerely,
Dave Shull,
Chief Executive Officer,
The Weather Group.
______
American Tunaboat Association
San Diego, CA, November 20, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
On behalf of the American Tunaboat Association (ATA), this is to
endorse the nomination of Mr. Barry Myers for Under-Secretary of
Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as the Administrator of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The ATA represents the owners of America's premier purse seine tuna
fishing fleet, and the largest U.S. distant water fishery anywhere on
the globe. Although somewhat variable, the U.S. purse seine fleet
catches tuna with a landed value of approximately half a billion
dollars a year.
Many of our current members are descendants of the pioneers who
developed purse seine fishing. Supply from their vessels and the
vessels of their fathers before them fueled our country's tuna canning
industry, which has brought U.S. consumers affordable, high quality
protein for almost 80 years now.
The ATA represents all the large U.S. flag purse seine vessels
fishing in the Pacific Ocean, where ATA members' vessels fish pursuant
to three international Conventions. In the eastern Pacific, there is
the Convention establishing the IATTC. In the west, where the bulk of
the U.S. fleet has operated in recent years, there are both the Treaty
on Fisheries between the United States and certain Pacific Island
States (popularly known as the South Pacific Tuna Treaty), as well as
the Convention establishing the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries
Commission (WCPFC).
Many U.S. flag purse seine tuna lands their catch at Pago Pago, in
the Territory of American Samoa, where the tuna industry accounts for
approximately 80 percent of the private sector economy, and where the
tuna processing sector is the largest private employer in the
Territory.
The U.S. purse seine fleet operates in a very competitive
international environment, and, we believe that our fleet endures an
unnecessarily heavy regulatory burden, made worse by rules which are
not always science based or implemented in a manner that establishes a
level playing field. This situation is exacerbated by an over-zealous
enforcement of the U.S. regulations by NOAA legal authorities.
ATA believes that Mr. Myers has the background and leadership
ability to effectively fulfill NOAA's dual responsibilities in this
arena: ensuring sustainable fisheries, while at the same lime
protecting the legitimate interests of the U.S. fishermen, Simply put,
we are certain that Mr. Myers will do what he can to maximize U.S.
fishing opportunities while ensuring the sustainability of our
fisheries.
Also, because the U.S. purse seine fishery is largely managed
internationally, as noted earlier, we are convinced that Mr. Myers will
ensure that U.S. negotiators will help our fleet in these international
negotiations.
Thank you for considering our views. For the reasons elaborated in
this letter, we urge you to support Mr. Myers' confirmation.
Sincerely,
Brian Hallman,
Executive Director.
______
Blue Water Fishermen's Association
Boston, MA, 20 November 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Thune, Ranking Member Nelson and Members of the
Committee,
On behalf of the Blue Water Fishermen's Association (BWFA), this is
to endorse the nomination of Mr. Barry Myers for Under-Secretary of
Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as the Administrator of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
BWFA's membership is comprised of U.S. Atlantic pelagic longline
fishermen, seafood dealers and other associated shoreside enterprises
dependent on the harvest of Atlantic highly migratory species of fish
including swordfish and tunas. Our fishermen operate broadly throughout
the north Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, in U.S. waters and on
the high seas. Our shoreside members are primarily based in the New
England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions.
These small, mostly family-owned businesses operate in an intensely
competitive environment dominated by imports that are typically
produced at an unfair competitive advantage over U.S. producers that
must bear the substantial costs of multiple layers of domestic and
international regulations.
We believe Mr. Myers's strategic vision, business management
experience and executive leadership skills will serve him well to both
improve and balance NOAA's dual responsibilities to ensure the
sustainability of U.S. fisheries while providing U.S. small fishing
businesses with a fair and reasonable opportunity to compete.
Further, because our fishery is managed internationally by the
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
(ICCAT), we believe Mr. Myers recognizes the critical need to ensure
that our U.S. negotiators possess the requisite expertise and
commitment to putting first the interests of the U.S. and its
fisheries. NOAA's fishery conservation and management program is the
most comprehensive and effective in the world, and while we are proud
to be a part of that success, U.S. fishermen must be rewarded, not
punished, for performing at the apex of global sustainability.
Thank you for considering our views. We are convinced Mr. Myers
will prove to be a highly effective leader for NOAA and its fishery
management regime. We urge you to support his confirmation.
Sincerely,
Jack Devnew,
President.
______
Northeast Seafood Coalition
Gloucester, MA, November 20, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
On behalf of the Northeast Seafood Coalition (NSC), this letter is
to endorse the nomination of Mr. Barry Myers for Under-Secretary of
Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as the Administrator of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
NSC is the leading voice for the Federal northeast multispecies
(groundfish) fishery. NSC members are small family-owned businesses
that operate along the northeast coast. These businesses represent the
core of coastal economies throughout the region.
As a multispecies fishery, our fishermen operate under what is
among the most intense and complex regulatory regimes in the U.S. This
regime must account for the dynamics of 20 distinct but interrelated
fish stocks in three distinct and highly dynamic management areas that
encompass the Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank and Southern New England/Mid-
Atlantic ecosystems.
In our region, NOAA science has struggled to accurately measure the
abundance of fish stocks while fisheries management has been guided by
management that has served the ``weakest link'' in the complex. These
realities have prevented the overfishing of weak stocks while leaving
many healthy stocks in the water underutilized.
Our fishermen have also struggled--just to survive. Many have not.
We believe Mr. Myers will bring a fresh and much needed perspective
and approach to strengthening the science underlying the management of
our fishery, along with a commitment to achieving the sustainability of
not only these fish stocks, but also the fishing businesses that rely
upon a well-managed fishery. His leadership of NOAA will serve our
Nation and its fisheries well in this respect.
Thank you for considering our views. We urge you to support his
confirmation.
Sincerely,
Jackie Odell,
Executive Director,
Northeast Seafood Coalition.
______
Center for Sportfishing Policy
Baton Rouge, LA, November 21, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Thune, Senator Nelson and Committee Members:
On behalf of the Center for Sportfishing Policy (Center) and
America's 11 million marine recreational anglers, I write to express
our support for the nomination of Barry Myers to be the Administrator
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Under Secretary
of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere).
The Center for Sportfishing Policy (Center) is a coalition of the
leading individual, institutional and corporate advocates for marine
recreational fishing. For years, partners of the Center have worked
together to build non-profit and industry partnerships that responsibly
advocate for sound conservation and maximizing opportunities for
saltwater anglers at the Federal level. To that end, we have a strong
interest in the leadership and direction of NOAA. As an office of NOAA,
the National Marine Fisheries Service is responsible for the
stewardship of our Nation's natural marine resources. A well-managed
and responsive NOAA is important to conservation, to our industry, and
to America's fishing families. Further, it has an impact on the Nation
as marine recreational fishing generates 440,000 jobs and contributes
more than $63 billion to the U.S. economy each year.
As you know, recreational fishing stakeholders have long advocated
for an updated Federal fisheries management system that uses modern
data collection methods to better manage our public marine resources
and the public's access to those resources. It is imperative that NOAA
set regulations based on sound science using accurate and timely
environmental information to best serve its constituents and our
natural resources. An essential element to successful operations at
NOAA is a welcoming atmosphere for stakeholder input through which
anglers can build trust in the Federal fisheries management system--an
element that has been lacking since the creation of the agency.
It is important to our industry and to anglers that the next NOAA
Administrator has the skills and willingness to modernize the
technology used in fisheries data collection, and Mr. Myers' extensive
business background proves he is prepared for such a job. Mr. Myers has
the potential to greatly improve the operations at NOAA through his
expertise in technology modernization and designing products and
services responsive to the marketplace.
He would bring a refreshing perspective to the agency and the
National Marine Fisheries Service--an office in prior administrations
which resisted using modern management techniques and outside data
sources to the detriment of America's 11 million saltwater anglers. Mr.
Myers' real life experiences demonstrate he has the capability of
bringing NOAA and NOAA Fisheries science into the 21st century, and he
is deserving of the Committee's support.
We appreciate your consideration of Mr. Barry Myers to be the next
Administrator of NOAA.
Sincerely,
Jefferson Angers,
President.
______
University of California, San Diego UCSD
La Jolla, CA, November 21, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Thune and Ranking Member Nelson,
Thank you for your consideration and confirmation of Scripps
Institution of Oceanography alum, Rear Admiral Timothy Gallaudet, USN
(Ret). I have closely followed Tim's career and had the honor of
working with him when he was Oceanographer of the Navy. I very much
appreciate your Committee's careful consideration of his nomination and
support for his confirmation. I write to urge the same consideration
for the confirmation of Barry Lee Myers as Under Secretary of Commerce
for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Scripps scientists are major partners in executing NOAA's ocean
observing programs essential for accurate forecasting of hurricanes and
typhoons, phenomena such as El Nino and La Nina, drought, and monsoons.
Our scientists provide a range of science, services and observations to
various NOAA line offices. Among other things, we provide observations
critical for satellite data calibration and validation to NESDIS, train
fisheries stock assessment professionals for NMFS, and host the
Southwest region geodesy program for NOS. We also have the honor of
hosting the Southwest Fisheries Science Center on our campus.
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Myers. He shared
his vision for NOAA, stressed the importance he places on science, and
conveyed his interest in NOAA's extramural collaborators. With his
background, he brings subject matter expertise, leadership, and
demonstrated management experience. Our nation faces growing challenges
in understanding and mitigating risk from extreme events. The recent
hurricanes, rapid shift from drought to flooding in the West, and
stressed marine ecosystems and their living marine resources all call
attention to the importance of NOAA. I strongly encourage your
Committee's continued focus on the resources NOAA needs to continue to
execute its missions, including excellent leadership and management.
I very much appreciate your attention to this request.
Sincerely,
Margaret Leinen,
Director,
Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Cc: Senator Diane Feinstein
Senator Kamala Harris
______
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Woods Hole, MA, November 22, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Thune, Ranking Member Nelson and Members of the
Committee:
I support the appointment of Mr. Barry Myers to the position of
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA). Mr. Myers' decades of experience at the nexus of science and
technology, and the public and private sectors, has provided him with
experience that will help him guide the broad science enterprise and
management mandates under NOAA's jurisdiction.
My decades working in the ocean sciences, including at the nexus of
ocean and atmospheric science, has convinced me of the need to
integrate across the Earth sciences. NOAA is uniquely positioned as an
agency that has the science and management mandates to expand its
leadership in this area. However, to be successful it will need to draw
more heavily on the expertise of its private and academic sector
partners. This is where I believe Mr. Myers experience will be of
benefit, encouraging new approaches and elevating awareness of the
importance of NOAA and its mission to the economic and national
security interests of the Nation.
Mr. Myers' experience in the weather sector, complemented by that
of Deputy Administrator Rear Admiral Timothy Gallaudet USN (Ret.) in
the ocean sciences, offers a knowledgeable and balanced leadership team
that will serve the interests of NOAA and the Nation well. I encourage
the Committee's approval of Mr. Myers nomination.
Sincerely,
Mark R. Abbott,
President and Director.
______
TruWeather Solutions LLC
Reston, VA, November 22, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
It is my great pleasure to endorse the nomination of Barry Lee
Myers for Under-Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as
the Administrator of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
Barry possesses the strategic vision. business management and executive
leadership skills to help strengthen NOAA and improve its critical
services to the Nation.
The Nation's weather industry is at a crossroads, where the
advancements in Science and Technology (S&T), especially within the
National Weather Service (NWS) and NESDIS, are outpacing NOAA's ability
to transition them into operations in a timely manner. This is not a
criticism of NOAA or the NWS, but rather a reflection of a slow
government program and procurement system that has become a chokepoint
in unleashing S&T trapped in our Nation's labs and academia. The
chokepoints do impact the Nation's economy and competitiveness around
the world.
The work NOAA does is important, and NOAA must receive robust
funding to focus on science Research and Development (R&D) that the
private sector cannot or will not do; and to produce the best warnings
and advisories possible, in line with the government responsibility to
protect life and property. That said, NOAA must evolve and implement
policies that are private sector friendly to encourage more private
investment in commercializing R&D. NOAA must also find ways to
incentivize the private sector in ways that can accelerate improvements
in weather observation and forecast systems, backed by private
investment, to improve our Nation's weather S&T to better serve the
Nation's first responders, homeland security forces and weather
sensitive businesses.
There is no easy path to implementing the policies and changes
required to ensure the Nation's future weather service needs are met.
We are entering an era where hyper weather precision and accuracy will
become paramount as weather sensitive Unmanned Autonomous Systems, such
as driverless cars, trucks, buses and drones, become more prominent on
our roads and in our skies. I am confident that Barry Myers has the
perfect mix of skills and experience to guide NOAA during this very
important period of transformation where public and private entities
must find ways to work together and accommodate the interests of all
parties.
My experience and expertise include over 28 years of government
service, including 24-years in the Air Force and four years as a NWS
Senior Executive leading the Science and Technology Directorate. I
built and led several large weather organizations in the Air Force and
oversaw an annual $130M budget in the NWS where I was exposed to
important S&T advancements in the Nation's labs and Universities that
could not find its way into operations. I founded TruWeather Solutions,
a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business with offices in
Virginia and New York in August 2015. Our mission is to unleash pent-up
S&T and transition it directly into commercial operations to improve
social decisions.
I being a very balanced perspective regarding weather industry
challenges as a former senior weather leader in the Department of
Defense and in NOAA, and now in building a business in the private
sector. It is my humble opinion that during these transformational
times, Barry Myers will be an outstanding leader for NOAA. I urge his
confirmation.
Sincerely,
Col (Ret.) Donald H. Berchoff, USAF,
Chief Executive Officer,
TruWeather Solutions LLC.
______
Southern Shrimp Alliance
Tarpon Springs, FL, November 22, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
On behalf of the Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA), this is to endorse
the nomination of Mr. Barry Myers for Under-Secretary of Commerce for
Oceans and Atmosphere and as the Administrator of the National Oceanic
Atmospheric Administration.
SSA serves as the national voice for the shrimp fishermen and
associated shoreside businesses in all eight shrimp producing states
throughout the southeast and Gulf of Mexico regions.
We believe Mr. Myers's strategic vision, business management
experience and executive leadership skills will serve to strengthen
NOAA including its highly effective fishery management regime.
SSA has enjoyed a markedly constructive partnership with NOAA for
many years, working to ensure the proper conservation and management of
our fishery. Today our shrimp stocks are healthy--neither overfished
nor subject to overfishing. Further, our bycatch of protected species
has been substantially reduced and is precisely managed to be in full
compliance with all applicable requirements.
Under Mr. Myers' leadership, we believe this highly successful
partnership will continue to ensure that the U.S. shrimp fishery is the
most sustainable fishery in the world.
That said, no other U.S. fishery has been more unfairly or severely
impacted by illegal imports than the U.S. shrimp fishery. Illegal
schemes to evade U.S. trade laws including antidumping duties have for
many years denied our fishermen a fair price for their catch and have
defrauded the U.S. Treasury and taxpayers out of huge sums of
uncollected anti-dumping duties.
Similarly fraudulent schemes to evade FDA rules to prevent the
importation of shrimp contaminated with banned antibiotics continue to
deny U.S. consumers the assurance that the imported shrimp they feed
their families is safe.
Once again, SSA enjoys a highly constructive partnership with NOAA
and other Federal agencies to combat these sources of fraud in the
shrimp import supply chain. We are confident that Mr. Myers is
committed to continue these efforts including the need to implement the
Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) with respect to shrimp imports
in a timely manner. The statements by Secretary Ross and other
Administration officials make it clear to us that restoring the best
interests of the U.S. fishing industry in the realm of U.S. trade
policy is a priority, and that this partnership will grow even stronger
under Mr. Myers' leadership.
Overall, we believe Mr. Myers' experience and skills will enable
him to be a highly successful NOAA Administrator and that his
leadership will serve to further strengthen NOAA fisheries policies and
programs. We urge you to support his confirmation.
Thank you for your consideration of our views.
Sincerely,
John Williams,
Executive Director.
______
Bungalow Media + Entertainment
November 22, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
It is my great pleasure to endorse the nomination of Barry Lee
Myers for Under-Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as
the Administrator of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
He possesses the strategic vision, business management, and executive
leadership skills to help strengthen NOAA and improve its critical
services to the Nation.
I've known Barry for a number of years now, having served on the
Board of Directors of Accuweather. I can tell you without reservation
that Barry possesses the skills and even more importantly the integrity
necessary to serve our great country. Barry also works tirelessly at
any endeavor. Additionally, Barry is very unusual in that he maintains
all of the professional skills combined with the common sense that is
vital for a position that is evolving so quickly.
I have lived in New York City my entire life and have been an
entertainment executive at a wide array of companies including Viacom,
New Line Cinema, AOL, as well as a number of private equity backed
production companies including my current company, Bungalow Media+
Entertainment. Over this time, I've been involved in many large,
branded film franchises including Lord of the Rings, Austin Powers, and
The Mask among others and have come to recognize how important
communication skills are when dealing with large branded initiatives.
Barry is very much equipped to excel at the communication necessary to
make his appointment a success.
Barry Myers will be an outstanding leader for NOAA. I support his
confirmation wholeheartedly.
Sincerely,
Robert Friedman,
CEO,
Bungalow Media + Entertainment.
______
The CEO Perspective Group
New York, NY, November 22, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
I endorse the nomination of Barry Lee Myers for Under-Secretary of
Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as Administrator of the National
Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. Barry would bring a wealth of
experience, expertise, judgment and concern for people to the position.
Since becoming CEO, he's led AccuWeather to prominence-combining
innovation, vision, pragmatism, energy and quest for information. He's
shown he has the experience, skills, ability to build relationships to
succeed.
Everyone is cognizant of weather problems, but with a personal
history of 5 tornadoes, 3 hurricanes and several blizzards be assured
that I want someone leading NOAA who understands challenges, how to
prepare and prevent problems. Barry is that person--he will seek out
the information if he doesn't have it. He has a diverse staff, whom he
seeks to develop--taking them to Economic Club and other events. Like
other successful CEOs Barry has started preparing for the future,
including obtaining commitments from potential staff.
Lending weight to my comments, note that prior to starting the CEO
Perspective Group (an elite advisory firm comprised of international
CEOs, Gerry Ferraro and myself), I worked at two Federal agencies, was
special advisor on testing to the State Department and was detailed for
a year to President Ca1ter's Reorganization Project for Law
Enforcement, Police and Investigative Agencies. Thus understand the
rigors of government service and what is needed to transition and
succeed. For 30 years, I've assessed and advised top executives,
winning awards from the Wall Street Journal, CNN and others, including
``legendary'' and ``Best for CEO Evaluation and Coaching.'' Per https:/
/www.ceoperspective.com I know leaders--and Barry is excellent.
As a board director of the bipartisan Women's Campaign Fund for ten
years and advisory board of Respectability.org, I understand better
than most bipartisan challenges. Many colleagues and clients don't
understand why Barry would want to leave a thriving business, but I do
understand his desire to be of service.
While I cannot speak to issues facing NOAA and Commerce, I do have
unique insights and expertise into leadership of a Federal agency. I am
confident that he will be an excellent leader and a credit to the
Commerce Department and NOAA. I urge Barry be rapidly confirmed.
Regards,
Dee A. Soder, Ph.D.,
Founder and Managing Partner.
______
Consortium for Ocean Leadership
Washington, DC, November 22, 2017
Hon. John Thune,
Chairman,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Bill Nelson,
Ranking Minority Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Thune, Ranking Member Nelson and Members of the
Committee:
In response to President Trump's nomination of Mr. Barry Myers to
be Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, Department of Commerce, I
encourage your thoughtful consideration of who and what the Nation
needs at the top of our leading ocean and atmosphere agency, and the
impressive experience that the proposed leadership brings to the table.
Representing the 90-plus academic, research, and industrial ocean
science and technology members of the Consortium for Ocean Leadership
(COL), I appreciate the president taking necessary steps to fill this
critical leadership role, and trust that Congress will advance highly
qualified and appropriate professionals such as Mr. Myers in a
bipartisan, non-politicized manner after careful examination.
When considering some of the needs of the position, one must only
look to history to see that science management experience is a
fundamental requirement. Mr. Myers' leadership of AccuWeather is a
testament to his ability to develop and guide a scientific enterprise,
and proof of his competency to inspire and lead scientists providing
highest quality environmental products and services. It is also
indicative of his ability to translate research, data, and information
to operations, which relies on effective collaborations between
industry, government, and academia. Public-private partnership building
skills are and will be key to NOAA's success, and Mr. Myers has
demonstrated great success in doing just that. Lastly, Mr. Myers'
experience in delivering environmental information to the public in an
understandable and actionable manner (as evidenced by more than two
billion mobile phone AccuWeather app users), should only enhance the
broad set of NOAA's products that utilize extensive observations,
research, geophysical models, and predictions from the ocean floor to
the atmospheric ceiling. The U.S. should be leading the world in the
accuracy and efficacy of all oceanographic and meteorological decision-
making products, and I am confident that with Mr. Myers at the helm,
the extraordinary NOAA team can lead our Nation to that precipice in
the coming months. Any political appointee taking over an agency has a
lot to learn, and Mr. Myers will undoubtedly surround himself with
scientists whose deep knowledge of issues across NOAA's spectrum, just
as he has done in the private weather enterprise. This will allow him
to get up to speed and ensure science-based management underlies all
decision making.
Mr. Myers' extensive knowledge of the weather enterprise at NOAA
will be well balanced by proven scientific leaders in every aspect of
NOAA's mission, to include the Deputy Administrator--Rear Admiral
(Rey.) Tim Gallaudet, with PhD in oceanography and proven operational
proficiency in oceanography and meteorology. Having met recently with
Mr. Myers to discuss ocean concerns, I am convinced that he and his
leadership team will bring fresh perspectives to the agency, and will
only enhance products and services that enable our Nation to understand
and protect coastal and marine infrastructure, ecosystems and resources
while growing our marine economy through sustainable and innovative
practices. NOAA supports our Nation's healthy and resilient communities
through its robust ocean science, management, and technology portfolio
that includes education, fisheries management, and the research and
tools (e.g., satellites, ships, buoys, autonomous vehicles, high
performance computing and networks) needed to observe and forecast our
changing ocean environment.
Our nation's security, safety, economic prosperity, and human
health demand a healthy and productive ocean and ocean science
community. Mr. Myers certainly understand this, and I look forward to
his successful, non-politicized leadership of NOAA as they support this
demand to the fullest extent possible. COL looks forward to working
with him to his end. Like others, the ocean science and technology
community is interested in learning Mr. Myers priorities and goals for
the agency, and we know you will confirm that those priorities are in
the best interest of our Nation and our ocean. I applaud your efforts
in this regard, and I stand ready to support you however I may during
the confirmation process.
Sincerely,
Jonathan W. White,
Rear Admiral, USN (Ret.),
President & CEO,
Consortium for Ocean Leadership.
Cc:
Honorable Ted Cruz; Chairman, Subcommittee on Space, Science, and
Competitiveness
Honorable Edward Markey; Ranking Minority Member; Subcommittee on
Space, Science, and Competitiveness
Honorable Dan Sullivan; Chairman, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere,
Fisheries, and Coast Guard
Honorable Gary Peters; Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Oceans,
Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard
______
November 24, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
I am pleased to support the nomination of Barry Lee Myers for
Under-Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as the
Administrator of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. While
I do not know Mr. Myers well, I have been impressed with his interest
and understanding of the key fisheries issues facing this country. I
understand that fisheries issues are not the only issues that a NOAA
Administrator will be required to deal with, but these issues are often
the most difficult to understand for incoming Administrators.
I am pleased and impressed that Mr. Myers has taken the time to
meet with former Congressional staff and industry representatives to
discuss fisheries issues that are important to this Nation. I am not
aware of other previous Administrators taking the time to do this prior
to their confirmation. To me, this signifies that Mr. Myers already
understands the importance of the domestic seafood industry and also
understands that he needs to be familiar with these issues even before
he is confirmed.
In addition, I think that Mr. Myers's business background will be a
positive addition to the team at the Department of Commerce and will be
helpful in understanding and addressing the needs of the domestic
seafood industry.
As a former staffer for the House of Representatives' Natural
Resources Committee dealing with fisheries and ocean policy, I have
worked with a number of Administrators of NOAA and I believe that Barry
Myers can be an outstanding leader for NOAA. I urge the Committee to
vote to favorably report his confirmation.
Sincerely,
Dave Whaley,
Independent Consultant for Fisheries and Ocean Policy.
______
Pacific Seafood Processors Association
November 27, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee:
The Pacific Seafood Processors Association (PSPA) endorses the
nomination of Barry Myers for Under-Secretary of Commerce for Oceans
and Atmosphere and as the Administrator of the National Oceanic
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Our members find that Mr. Myers
brings leadership experience, a vision for innovation, and a commitment
to science that will advance our fisheries and seafood priorities.
PSPA is a non-profit trade association representing nine seafood
processing companies in Alaska and around the U.S. Alaska's sustainable
commercial fisheries land approximately 60 percent of U.S. production,
including pollock, salmon, crab, cod, halibut, and whiting. PSPA
members facilitate market access for seafood products domestically and
around the world. With operations including 3 at-sea processing vessels
and 31 facilities in 18 Alaskan coastal communities, our members
support local economies, bolster the rural tax base, and provide
thousands of jobs in both urban and rural locations.
Sustaining the productivity of U.S. commercial fisheries requires a
consistent commitment to core fisheries science and management programs
at NOAA. In meeting with Mr. Myers, our members discussed the value of
NOAA's work in carrying out stock surveys and assessments, working with
fisheries management councils to advance fisheries sustainability,
supporting domestic and export-oriented market access, and providing
life-saving meteorological data to fishermen and their communities. On
all these points, Mr. Myers appreciated the value of NOAA's key
contributions and noted the value of good working relationships between
NOAA and our fisheries and the seafood industry as a whole.
Mr. Myers understands the value of science, innovation, and
technology in advancing both public welfare and the operational success
of ocean-dependent businesses. His experience and perspective will be
an asset to NOAA as it carries out its critical missions. We look
forward to working with Mr. Myers in his leadership role at NOAA.
Thank you for this opportunity to comment.
Sincerely,
Glenn Reed,
President,
Pacific Seafood Processors Association.
______
United Stations Radio Networks
November 27, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
It is my great pleasure to endorse the nomination of Barry Lee
Myers for Under-Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as
the Administrator of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
He possesses the strategic vision, business management and executive
leadership skills to help strengthen NOAA and improve its critical
services to the Nation.
I have had the honor of knowing and working with Barry and
AccuWeather for over 15 years and have always found him to be very
smart, engaging, honest, thoughtful and caring individual in all of my
dealings with him.
My role at USRN is to oversee a national radio network and I have
done that now for over 20 years. USRN is a full service radio network
that creates, produces and syndicates audio programming and services to
over 6,000 radio. stations in the USA. We also sell advertising and
sponsorships to Fortune 500 companies that need national media
coverage. We are headquartered in New York City and have been
successfully operating in this business for over 35 years.
Barry Myers will be an outstanding leader for NOAA. I urge his
confirmation.
Sincerely,
James M. Higgins,
President and COO,
United Stations Radio Networks.
______
Midland Radio Corporation
Kansas City, MO, November 27, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson, and Members of the Committee,
Please accept our endorsement of the nomination of Barry Lee Myers
for Under-Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as the
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
He possesses the strategic vision, business management and executive
leadership skills to lead NOAA and improve its critical services to the
Nation.
Mr. Myers has proven himself to be an insightful and decisive
supporter of the commercial weather enterprise, of which we are an
integral part. As America's leading manufacturer of NOAA All Hazards
weather alert radios, Midland Radio Corporation is dedicated to
supporting ``The Voice of the National Weather Service'', NOAA Weather
Radio. We are certain Mr. Myers will provide the vision and leadership
that will improve, expand, and re energize the NOAA Weather Radio
Network, the vital first link in America's emergency warning system.
Based upon his solid support of the commercial weather enterprise,
we endorse Barry Myers as the new leader of NOAA.
Sincerely,
Dan Schwartz,
Chief Operating Officer,
Midland Radio Corporation.
Bruce Thomas,
Chief Meteorologist,
Midland Radio Corporation.
Bruce Jones,
Meteorologist,
Midland Radio Corporation.
______
National Coalition for Fishing Communities
Washington, DC, November 27, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee,
We the undersigned fishing companies, organizations, and vessels
are writing in support of Barry Myers' confirmation as the next NOAA
Administrator and Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and
Atmosphere.
As CEO of AccuWeather, Mr. Myers has a proven record of success,
working alongside scientists. He is a recipient of the prominent
American Meteorological Society's Leadership award and is an AMS
fellow. Mr. Myers served on the Environmental Information Services
Working Group of NOAA's Science Advisory Board for 5 different heads of
NOAA's National Weather Service, under presidents of both parties.
NOAA employs some of the Nation's best scientists, but it has been
plagued with ongoing mismanagement, as documented in the press,
including:
Abuses of power and misuse of funds at NOAA's Office of Law
Enforcement that led to the appointment of a Special Master to
review the case, the return of collected fines, and the
demotion and reassignment of NOAA employees.
Issues associated with the NOAAS Bigelow, a NOAA research
vessel. Over the past few years the vessel has missed several
critical survey trips due to a range of issues including
incorrect paint and foreign engines so complicated that
engineers had to be flown in from Europe to repair them.
NOAA has been criticized for years over data accuracy and
credibility in regards to collection, management and use of
fisheries data that is used for management of fisheries,
commercial, recreational, cultural and scientific purposes.
The National Weather Service is reported to be on the
``brink of failure'' due to budget and hiring issues left
unresolved for the past 5 years.
Several experts in the field have publicly articulated the need for
better management at the agency:
``No NOAA administrator has been willing to make the
substantial, but necessary, changes. Is it possible that an
outsider from the private sector might consider a fresh
approach?''
--Cliff Mass, Atmospheric scientist, University of Washington
``I think Barry would bring very practical, pragmatic expertise
and management acumen to NOAA.''
--David Titley, Former NOAA COO under President Obama;
Professor of Meteorology, Penn State University
While science remains one of the most vital elements of NOAA, new
leadership with strong proven managerial experience is needed to right
the ship after years of mismanagement.
For these reasons, I strongly support the nomination of Barry Myers
as NOAA Administrator and Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and
Atmosphere, and ask you to vote to confirm his nomination.
Thank you for considering this request.
Respectfully submitted,
Marc Agger Richard Canastra, Co-Owner
Owner, Agger Fish Corp BASE New Bedford Auction
Board Member, Monkfish Defense Fund New Bedford, MA
Brooklyn, NY
Warren Alexander, President Daniel Cohen, President
Atlantic Shellfish, Inc. Atlantic Capes Fisheries
Cape May, NJ Cape May, NJ
Bob Blais, Controller Jim Cook, Vice President
Seatrade International POP Hawaii
New Bedford, MA Honolulu, HI
Scott Bode, COO Don Cross, Owner
Pier Fish Co. Pamlico Packing Co., Inc.
New Bedford, MA Grantsboro, NC
Bonnie Brady, Executive Director Jeffrey W. Davis, CEO
Long Island Commercial Fishing Blue Harvest Fisheries
Association New Bedford, MA
Montauk, NY Newport News, VA
Dewey Destin, Owner
Dewey Destin's Seafood Restaurants
Destin, FL
Greg DiDomenico, Executive Director
Garden State Seafood Association
Trenton, NJ
Wayne Dunbar
Pamlico County Fishermen's
Association
Pamlico, NC
Roy Enoksen, President
Ronald Enoksen, Vice President
Eastern Fisheries, Inc.
Nordic Fisheries, Inc.
New Bedford, MA
Brent Fulcher, Owner
Fulcher Trawling
New Bern, NC
Chris Fulcher, President
Fulcher's Point Pride Seafood,
Oriental, NC
Bay City Crab Company, Aurora, NC
Fulcher's Seafood, Oriental, NC
Diamond Shoal Seafood, Hatteras, NC
Crystal Seas Seafood, Bayboro, NC
Shellfish Express, Oriental, NC
Joe Gilbert, Owner
Empire Fisheries
Empire Scallop
Invictus Fisheries
Milford, CT
Mike Goto, Auction Manager
United Fishing Agency
Honolulu, HI
Wayne Heikkila, Executive Director
Jim Gutowski, President Western Fishboat Owners Association
Fisheries Survival Fund American Fishermen's Research
Members in CT, MA, ME, NC, NY, VA Foundation
Astoria, OR
Members in AK, CA, HI, OR, WA
Ed Mullis, General Manager
B&C Seafood, Inc.
Newport News, VA
Robert Nagle, Vice President
John Nagle Co.
Boston, MA
Robert Newberry, Chairman
Delmarva Fisheries Association
Chestertown, MD
Members in MD, VA
Gerry O'Neill, Owner
Cape Seafood
Western Sea Fishing
Gloucester, MA
Dan Occipinti, General Counsel
Pacific Seafood
Clackamas, OR
Erik Orman, President
Tempest Fisheries
New Bedford, MA
Ernie Panacek, General Manager
Viking Village
Barnegat Light, NJ
Diane Pleschner-Steele, Executive
Director
California Wetfish Producers
Association
Monterey, CA
William Polumbo, President
Palombo Fishing Corp., Newport, RI
International Marine Industries,
Newport, RI
Boston Wholesale Lobster Corp.,
Lynn, MA
Jeff Reichle, Chairman
Laura Foley Ramsden, Owner Lunds Fisheries, Inc.
Foley Fish Cape May, NJ
Boston, MA Affiliated companies:
Sun Coast Calamari, Inc., Oxnard,
CA
Port Hueneme Ice, LLC, Port
Hueneme, CA
Cape May Ice, Inc., Cape May, NJ
Cape Clam, Inc., Cape May, NJ
Cape Trawlers, Inc., Cape May, NJ
Cumberland Freezers, LLC,
Bridgeton, NJ
F/V Perseverance F/V Miss Madeline
F/V Sea Angles F/V Mt. Vernon
F/V Gaston Bell F/V Permits
F/V Annie Elizabeth F/V Scombrus One
F/V Nancy Elizabeth F/V Shakari
F/V Elise G F/V Squid Light
F/V Charisma F/V Squid Light Too
F/V Gannet F/V Western Explorer
F/V Golden Nuggett
______
National Marine Manufacturers Association
November 27, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Thune, Senator Nelson and Committee Members:
On behalf of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA)
and America's 11 million saltwater recreational anglers, I write to
express our support for the nomination of Barry Myers to be the
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere).
By way of background, NMMA is the leading recreational marine
industry trade association in North America, representing 1,400 boat,
engine, and accessory manufacturers. NMMA members collectively produce
more than 80 percent of the recreational marine products sold in the
United States with direct expenditures on recreational boating of $37
billion annually. The U.S. marine manufacturing industry is comprised
of nearly 35,000 businesses that provide over 650,000 jobs. To that
end, we have a strong interest in the leadership and direction of NOAA.
As an office of NOAA, the National Marine Fisheries Service is
responsible for the stewardship of our Nation's marine fishery
resources. A well-managed and responsive NOAA is important to
conservation, to our industry, and to America's fishing families.
Further, it has an impact on the Nation as marine recreational fishing
generates 440,000 jobs and contributes more than $63 billion to the
U.S. economy each year.
As you know, recreational fishing stakeholders have long advocated
for an updated Federal fisheries management system that uses modem data
collection methods to better manage our public marine resources and the
public's access to those resources. It is imperative that NOAA set
regulations based on sound science using accurate and timely scientific
information to best serve its constituents and our natural resources.
An essential element to successful operations at NOAA is a welcoming
atmosphere for stakeholder input through which anglers can build trust
in the Federal fisheries management system--an element that has been
lacking since the creation of the agency.
It is important to our industry that the next NOAA Administrator
has the skills and willingness to modernize the technology used in
fisheries data collection, and Mr. Myers' extensive business background
proves he is prepared for such a job. Mr. Myers has the potential to
greatly improve the operations at NOAA through his expertise in
technology modernization and designing products and services responsive
to the marketplace.
He would bring a refreshing perspective to the agency and the
National Marine Fisheries Service--an office in prior administrations
which resisted using modem management techniques and outside data
sources to the detriment of America's 11 million saltwater angels. Mr.
Myers real life experience demonstrate he has the capability of
bringing NOAA and NOAA Fisheries science into the 21st century, and he
is deserving of the Committee's support.
We appreciate you consideration of Mr. Barry Myers to be the next
Administrator at NOAA.
Sincerely,
Thomas Dammrich,
President,
National Marine Manufacturers Association.
______
ACT | The App Association
Washington, DC, November 27, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson, and Members of the Committee,
It is my great pleasure to endorse the nomination of Barry Lee
Myers for Under-Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere (NOAA)
and as the Administrator of the National Oceanic Atmospheric
Administration. He possesses the strategic vision, business management,
and executive leadership skills to help strengthen NOAA and improve its
critical services to the Nation.
ACT | The App Association represents approximately 5,000 small
business app makers and connected device companies across the globe,
and in every state and Congressional district. Our member companies
leverage the connectivity of mobile devices from phones to cars,
refrigerators, and smart factories, producing innovations that enhance
our lives. The app economy is now valued at about $143 billion and
represents the user interface for $8 trillion in international trade
annually. But despite these big numbers, small enterprises drive this
powerful engine--they need accurate weather modeling and information to
make their products even better.
During Mr. Myers' time at AccuWeather, our industry saw an
exponential growth in the use of weather data by mobile applications to
provide consumers vital information. Now part of a $143 billion
industry, mobile apps rely on weather not only to let people know if
it's raining outside, but also to predict how the weather impacts
shipping, staffing, safety, and energy conservation. We see Mr. Myers'
experience with both the public and private sector elements of NOAA's
jurisdiction as vital for the future of data in our connected world.
We look forward to working with Mr. Myers and urge his
confirmation.
Sincerely,
Morgan Reed,
President,
ACT | The App Association.
______
National Fisheries Institute
December 13, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune and Nelson:
The National Fisheries Institute (``NFI'') supports the nomination
of Mr. Barry Myers to be the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and
Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic Atmospheric
Administration (``NOAA'').
NFI has been the Nation's leading advocacy organization for the
seafood industry for 71 years. NFI member companies represent every
facet of the fishing world and every link in the seafood supply chain.
From responsible aquaculture, to a marketplace supporting free trade,
to ensuring consumers have the facts on the sustainability and health
benefits of fish and shellfish, NFI and its members support and promote
sound science-based public policy.
If confirmed, Mr. Myers will lead a post essential to seafood
harvesters, processors, distributors, retailers, and restaurants--and
the consumers who depend on these companies for billions of seafood
meals every year. NFI is heartened to see that Mr. Myers supports the
science-based fishery management approach that has made the United
States a global leader in sustainable seafood. His successful business
background, too, suggests an understanding of the vital importance of
considering all private sector views when engaged in the sensitive task
of regulating complex industry sectors. NFI appreciates and supports
his call for expanding the Nation's seafood production, including
through responsible growth in aquaculture.
Given the Administrator's central role in formulating policies that
have an impact on commercial seafood businesses across the nation, it
is essential to fill this position now. NFI urges the Senate to swiftly
confirm Mr. Myers.
Should you have any questions, you may contact me at
[email protected].
Sincerely,
John Connelly,
President.
______
Mystic Aquarium
December 15, 2017
Hon. John Thune, Chairman,
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune, Nelson and Members of the Committee:
Please consider my support for the nomination of Barry Lee Myers
for Under-Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as the
Administrator of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
The important mission of NOAA includes the conservation of marine
mammals and ocean habitats, which are central to our mission and we
look forward to working Mr. Myers on these matters. We appreciate his
strategic, executive leadership skills and believe this expertise and
perspective will strengthen NOAA and serve as a productive basis for
what we can do together with NOAA for good of our shared interests.
From our headquarters in Mystic, Connecticut, we carry out a
nationwide mission of inspiring people to care for and protect our
ocean planet through conservation , education and research. We are
long-serving partners with NOAA on marine mammal rescue, to which we
bring a large and highly-experienced expert staff of scientists and
veterinarians. Our educational work extends from the aquarium itself to
field sites around New England and the country, where we partner with
multiple schools and institutes on the scientific, technological,
engineering, and mathematical topics comprised by ocean conservation.
There is much work to do on these matters that will benefit from a
swift confirmation of Mr. Myers.
Sincerely,
Stephen M. Coan, PhD,
President and CEO.
Senator Sullivan. I am going to begin by recognizing
Chairman Thune for accommodating his schedule to begin the
questioning of Mr. Myers. Mr. Chairman.
STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN THUNE,
U.S. SENATOR FROM SOUTH DAKOTA
The Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate you and
Senator Inhofe pinch hitting and chairing today, and Senator
Schatz and the other members of the Committee.
And, Mr. Myers, thank you for being here and for your
willingness to serve in this important position.
I just have one quick question. I will have a couple
questions I will submit for the record.
Earlier this Congress, the Weather Research and Forecasting
Innovation Act, which Senator Schatz and I introduced in the
Senate, was signed into law. And one of my top priorities in
this law was a requirement to designate a warning coordination
meteorologist within each weather forecast office for outreach
and communication at the local level. In my conversations with
communities and stakeholders in South Dakota, I repeatedly
heard that this position provides one of the most valued
services. For example, during the Sturgis bike rally, which is
a big event annually in South Dakota where the population not
only more than doubles, it increases by many multiples, having
established relationships with local emergency managers is
paramount to the safety of our citizens as the weather in the
Black Hills can rapidly change.
If confirmed, do you commit to the full implementation of
the weather bill, including using warning coordination
meteorologists to improve outreach and communications with
local communities?
Mr. Myers. Senator, thank you. Yes, I do.
The Chairman. I would also like to have you, if you get the
opportunity, to visit some rural weather forecast offices such
as the one in Aberdeen, South Dakota just to see how difficult
it is to provide severe weather forecasts in parts of the
country that do not have reliable cell phone service. Would you
be interested in coming out and visiting one of those offices?
Mr. Myers. I would be very interested.
The Chairman. Good. Hopefully we can work to make that
happen.
Mr. Chairman, I have a couple of other questions that I
will submit for the record. But I appreciate, Mr. Myers, you
being here, and we will look forward to moving your nomination
along in the process.
Mr. Myers. Thank you very much.
Senator Sullivan. Thank you, Chairman Thune.
I am going to begin with my questions.
Mr. Myers, I know that you appreciate the importance of
cooperation between the Executive Branch and Congress. These
confirmation hearings give us an opportunity to underscore that
point. If confirmed, will you pledge to work collaboratively
with this Committee and its members and to provide thorough and
timely responses to our requests for information and our
requests for you to appear before this Committee?
Mr. Myers. Yes, I will.
Senator Sullivan. I also want to just address--Senator
Nelson highlighted the issue of conflicts of interest. You, I
think, did a very strong job in your opening statement about
what you intend to do, if confirmed. But let me just ask you
more directly. If confirmed, will you strictly abide by all
applicable conflict of interest regulations, rules, laws, and
the appearance of conflicts?
Mr. Myers. Yes, I will.
Senator Sullivan. Let me begin by an issue. I really
enjoyed our meeting that we had a couple of weeks ago. As I
mentioned in my opening statement, I think it is clear, as
Senator Nelson mentioned, NOAA is a beloved agency. It is a
very important agency to the entire country. Nowhere is this
more important than in the great State of Alaska where NOAA's
missions impact so many elements of my state. And NOAA's
missions--they have entire offices that are directly focused on
Alaska because we are so big and have so many important
elements of the NOAA mission. Yet, much of NOAA staffing and
infrastructure for Alaska-based missions are not located in
Alaska. And you and I have talked about this at some length.
For example, by law, the NOAA research ship Fairweather is
home ported in Ketchikan, Alaska. That is in the law, but it
actually resides in Oregon.
I am very interested in the issue of ocean debris. We had a
bill that has passed out of the Senate, and is hopefully going
to be moved out of the House, the Save Our Seas bill that is
focused on ocean debris where NOAA plays a huge role. And this
bill would even expand that role. I met with the head of the
NOAA ocean debris program who is based here on the East Coast
this summer and met with the head of the Alaska director for
the NOAA ocean debris program. I was surprised to realize that
that person was not even based in Alaska.
No other Senator would tolerate such a situation where an
executive agency focuses exclusively on their State's weather
and NOAA-related issues and are not even based in that state.
To be the most effective and cost effective to the taxpayer,
NOAA staff and assets who work solely on Alaska issues must be
in Alaska. The previous administration did little to work with
me on this. I would like your commitment to help to restore the
agency's presence as appropriate, when they are working on
Alaska issues, to be in Alaska.
Will you commit that, if confirmed, you will undertake a
comprehensive review of this staff and asset movements out of
my state on Alaska issues to come back to Alaska and offer a
detailed plan and timeline working with me and my office for
moving these staff positions and assets back to Alaska?
Mr. Myers. Senator Sullivan, thank you very much for that
question.
The discussion that you and I had was very informative,
enlightening, and interesting to understand so many assets that
serve Alaska are not in Alaska.
Senator Sullivan. Exclusively serve Alaska.
Mr. Myers. I do commit to looking at this and doing a
complete review and certainly reporting back to you and the
Committee on those issues.
Senator Sullivan. Thank you.
You mentioned in your opening statement the issue of
seafood trade. I have appreciated Secretary Ross' emphasis on
trying to do something about the seafood trade deficit. The
agencies under NOAA's purview have a lot to do with it. Will
you work with me and other seafood exporters to reduce barriers
that put us at a competitive disadvantage with regard to other
countries? I know it is a priority of the Secretary. I just
want to get your commitment on that.
Mr. Myers. Yes, you have my commitment.
Senator Sullivan. One other area that again impacts Alaska,
but it impacts the whole country is on the issue of
hydrographic surveying. There are a lot of parts of my state
that still rely on charts and data collected back in the 1800s
when Russia was still in charge of Alaska. There is a potential
to address the backlog of hydrographic surveying in Alaska and
throughout the entire country through partnerships with the
private sector, but there is needed leadership for this to
happen.
Will you work with this Committee to aggressively reduce
the charting backlog and increase the use of public-private
partnerships to achieve this goal in terms of upgrading our
hydrographic surveying around the country?
Mr. Myers. Yes, I will, Senator.
Senator Sullivan. Great. Thank you.
Senator Schatz.
STATEMENT OF HON. BRIAN SCHATZ,
U.S. SENATOR FROM HAWAII
Senator Schatz. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Myers, thank you for your willingness to serve.
I have three questions. The first two should be quick.
Can you assure me that as NOAA Administrator, you will
support the agency's climate research portfolio and advocate
for sufficient levels of funding to advance research relating
to climate change?
Mr. Myers. Yes.
Senator Schatz. Can you assure me that as NOAA
Administrator, you will comply with NOAA's scientific integrity
policy and defend the rights of your scientists?
Mr. Myers. Yes, I will. I am familiar with that policy,
Senator.
Senator Schatz. Thank you very much.
I want to flesh out this question around conflicts of
interest. I know you have been expecting this question.
So my understanding--and tell me if I am getting any of the
facts wrong--is that you and your wife will resign and divest--
makes sense--but that your brothers will continue to own more
than 90 percent of AccuWeather, and a son-in-law will continue
to work at the company as a high level executive, and a nephew
will still be on the Board of Directors.
Now, it is a family company and you cannot force your
family to divest because you are going to go and do another
thing. And as I read both the Code of Federal Regulations and
the statute around this, what you are doing seems to be
compliant with the law in the strictest possible terms, but the
challenge here--right--is that your divestiture after 90 days
allows you to then make decisions as NOAA Administrator that
could benefit AccuWeather.
And so the question is what is the scope of your recusal
not just in legal terms, but how do you view this problem--
right--which is that you built this thing from scratch and now
NOAA and AccuWeather have this sort of--I do not know--
coopetition sort of relationship where you depend on each
other, you are sort of scuffling with each other sometimes, but
you are absolutely enmeshed? Right? And then some of the people
who are closest to you are also going to be on the other side
of this wall. So I am just trying to figure out as a person how
you are going to sort all this out in your new role?
Mr. Myers. Senator Schatz, thank you very much for that
question.
I think that any business executive that has close ties to
a company, has worked at a company for a long time, has led the
company, whether they may be relatives or they may be very
close longtime friends, has the same issue coming into
government that I have. I have made it clear that I will
divest, as you had described. I have made it clear to my
brothers. In fact, jokingly I explained to them that we may see
each other at Thanksgiving dinner and we can talk about
football and family things, but we cannot talk about NOAA. And
people who know me I think know that I am very principled in
these regards, and I am very serious about it.
I also know what the legal requirements are. I do not
believe legally I could favor one company over another without
violating a whole host of Federal statutes, regardless of
whether that company was one to which I had relatives or not.
Senator Schatz. Can you give me an example of--because part
of this is you were in a role or you are currently in a role
and then you may be in a new role. So the question becomes, you
know, thinking about the Santorum legislation or any of the
other instances in which AccuWeather and NOAA do not see eye to
eye, can you think of an instance in which you were playing a
role as CEO of AccuWeather and took a position which would not
be consistent with your potential position as NOAA
Administrator? In other words, where would you have to say,
well, that was different and now I am the NOAA Administrator
and I represent the public and the government, and therefore, I
am going to have to be at odds with my former employer?
Mr. Myers. I do not know if I can bring up a specific
instance. I have worked with NOAA, as was described, for many
years. I have served on their advisory boards. I have worked
with the NOAA Administrator. I have worked with the heads of
every manager of the National Weather Service since about 1988.
Senator Schatz. What about the Santorum bill? Is that an
example where your view may have to change because of the role
that you may be stepping into?
Mr. Myers. Well, let me explain, if I can, a little bit
about the Santorum bill to put it in some context.
Recognizing that it occurred half a generation ago and
circumstances I think in the weather field were significantly
different at the time, people say I was trying to privatize the
National Weather Service. I never advocated for that, and I
never have. My advocacy was always a level playing field.
The words that are in the Santorum bill actually came from
a 1991 National Weather Service policy that was published in
the Federal Register. It was their words. It was not the
Senator's words. In fact, I can read it to you, it said that
it, ``will not compete with the private sector when a service
is currently provided or can be provided by commercial
enterprises unless otherwise directed by applicable law.'' That
was the National Weather Service policy that in 2004 they
withdrew.
Senator Schatz. Right, but let us just be clear about what
that would mean as a practical matter for NOAA. It would mean
you cannot provide free stuff that a private company is
currently charging for. That is what it means to be competing
with the private sector. And what NOAA does is--obviously,
AccuWeather is not going to get into the satellite business.
Right? But the question is in terms of the dissemination of
weather data. NOAA has the capability of distributing
information for free where private sector enterprises may want
to value-add or do different things to the interface to make it
more user friendly. But it does not seem to me there should be
any prohibition on the government providing the data that it
collects for free.
My time is up here. But this is my question. Right? You are
a smart lawyer. You are an accomplished business person. You
are not going to come into this hearing unprepared to answer
this question, and you are not going to come into a
confirmation process without having run the traps. But my
question sort of remains that, dispositionally and maybe even
ideologically, you have not made the transition all the way to
the government and representing NOAA and representing the
public first. And I think that is going to be a transition, but
I would encourage you to think through not just whether you are
compliant with the CFR and U.S. Code and what the ethics people
tell you, but understanding this new role really is different
than the old role and you may have to rethink some of your most
fundamental assumptions.
Thank you for the extra time.
Senator Sullivan. Senator Markey.
STATEMENT OF HON. EDWARD MARKEY,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MASSACHUSETTS
Senator Markey. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Myers, the scientists in the Federal Government are
increasingly paranoid that because the President has pulled out
of the Paris Agreement and that NOAA is such a central provider
of information on this subject, that they are very fearful that
they are going to be punished.
So I guess my question to you is, given the 13 Federal
agencies that unveiled the fourth national climate assessment
on November 3, and that that report comprehensively describes
that humans are the main cause of rising global temperatures
and creating the warmest period in the history of human
civilization.
So my question to you is, do you agree that humans are the
main cause of climate change? Yes or no, sir.
Mr. Myers. Thank you, Senator, for that question.
I have read the reports and I have no reason to disagree
with them.
Senator Markey. So does that mean you agree with them?
Mr. Myers. I agree with the reports. They are based on
quality peer-reviewed research, which is something that I
strongly support.
Senator Markey. So you agree that humans are the main cause
of climate change? Is that what you are saying?
Mr. Myers. That is what I am saying.
Senator Markey. OK, good.
Will you commit to continuing to support the work of NOAA's
scientists, which they have done for the national climate
assessment?
Mr. Myers. Yes, Senator, I do. And I was on the graduate
faculty at Penn State for many years. I know what quality
research looks like. I know what peer-reviewed research looks
like. And scientists should be free to operate in that kind of
an environment, and they need to subject their research,
obviously, to peer review so that other scientists can weigh in
on it. But once that process is completed, that information
should be made available to all.
Senator Markey. Will you commit to continuing all of the
critical climate science that NOAA undertakes?
Mr. Myers. Yes, I will certainly within the budget that is
allocated by Congress.
Senator Markey. Will you commit to not reassign NOAA
scientists working on climate change?
Mr. Myers. Senator, I am not sure if I can quite answer
that question because I do not know what the circumstances of
any given person may be from a personnel standpoint, an
interest standpoint, or a needs standpoint. But I will not do
it based upon their science conclusions.
Senator Markey. Will you commit to not preventing NOAA
scientists from speaking publicly about their work on climate
change science or retaliating against those scientists who do?
Mr. Myers. Again, as long as the work that they are talking
about is the peer-reviewed research that they have done that is
accepted as quality science, they should be free to talk about
that.
Senator Markey. So let us talk about the budget cuts then
that you referred to. The President's proposed budget cut
proposes big cuts to NOAA, including a $250 million cut from
NOAA's coastal research programs, as well as eliminating grants
that help communities plan and implement severe weather
warnings. These cuts would make these communities even more
vulnerable than they already are. Do you support these cuts?
Mr. Myers. I understand the nature of the cuts. I
understand why they were done. I think Secretary Ross has been
clear about the fact that many of these are very good programs
that suffered from these cuts but the line had to be drawn
somewhere and those lines were drawn where they were drawn. And
as a member of the administration, certainly I will
appropriately carry out the budget that is allocated by
Congress.
Senator Markey. What would your plan be for maintaining
NOAA's services for communities experiencing sea level rise in
light of those massive proposed cuts?
Mr. Myers. Senator, I am not sure that I can give you a
firm answer at this time not knowing what resources may be at
the disposal of NOAA to assist with those communities. Clearly
sea level rise in a number of places is a concerning issue.
Senator Markey. Well, obviously coastal communities are at
great risk, and most of the people on this Committee represent
coastal communities. For example, NOAA's Office of Coastal
Management received requests for coastal resilience grants this
year in excess of $135 million, which fund flood protection,
habitat restoration to reduce storm impacts. So it is
unacceptable that the Administration is proposing these deep
cuts because it is clear that the public does need this funding
in the years ahead. So you will be given the responsibility of
basically making decisions that ultimately cannot meet the
needs of these communities. You do understand that that will be
an impossibility on your job?
Mr. Myers. Senator, I understand that the job is going to
be very challenging and that these are some of those
challenging issues that will have to be dealt with.
Senator Markey. ``Challenging'' is a euphemistic way of
describing the overwhelming challenge that the planet is going
to face but especially the coastal communities in America.
Boston is the fourth most vulnerable city in the United States
to climate change and the eighth most vulnerable in the world.
So obviously, a dramatic cutback in these funds is going to
have a dramatic impact on the future of our city.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Senator Sullivan. Senator Hassan.
STATEMENT OF HON. MAGGIE HASSAN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE
Senator Hassan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
And good morning, Mr. Myers. Congratulations on your
nomination.
If confirmed, it will be your responsibility to serve the
public interests, not just the private interests of a company's
bottom line. Americans deserve access to the lifesaving
forecasts and other weather information provided to the public
by NOAA. As the CEO of AccuWeather, you advocated for keeping
NOAA's taxpayer-funded data from the public. AccuWeather backed
a bill in 2005 that would have banned Federal meteorologists
from providing services that competed with private companies
like yours.
Do you still believe that NOAA should refrain from making
weather and forecasting products available to the public,
including those such as emergency first responders, farmers,
and small businesses?
Mr. Myers. Senator Hassan, thank you very much for that
question and for your good wishes.
I would like to state that I actually never advocated those
things, and in fact, if anything, I have advocated the
opposite. I have spoken many times in advocation of free and
open data from NOAA, that it should be available to all, that
there should always be a level playing field for all of U.S.
citizens and U.S. companies.
The concern from 1991 through I think 2004 was a different
environment. In fact, the policy that the National Weather
Service had in 1991 assisted, I believe, in helping create the
greatest weather enterprise on earth here in the United States.
The nature of that policy is gone, and everybody is operating
quite well in a new environment. And I support and have talked
about it many times that all--all--National Weather Service
data should be made available. In fact, it is not actually
available and----
Senator Hassan. Because my time is limited, what I am going
to suggest is that I will submit the background articles we
have that indicate that you appeared by reports--and they may
be inaccurate reports--to take a different position in 2005.
And I will ask you to comment on that for the record because I
would like to touch on this issue in a slightly different way.
I was Governor of New Hampshire, and when we had severe
weather events where potentially lifesaving decisions were made
based on the free information provided by the National Weather
Service out of Gray, Maine, I would rely on that information.
During severe weather events, we would have numerous calls
daily with the Weather Service to get up-to-the-date forecast
information. I cannot stress the importance of having this
information available on a minute-to-minute basis so that
resources could be most efficiently allocated throughout New
Hampshire. And I should add sometimes we would learn that we
did not need as many resources, and we could deploy them to
another state if a storm, for instance, shifted its path a
little bit.
So can you commit to me that, if confirmed, the National
Weather Service will continue to have this relationship with
Governors and emergency management officials and, if possible,
expand resources and this free information to be made available
to states when asked?
Mr. Myers. Senator, yes, I will.
Senator Hassan. Thank you.
I also wanted to follow up on an issue that is very
important to those of us who represent coastal states. We in
New England recognize the importance of sustainable fisheries,
but we have serious concerns about the costs that hardworking
fishermen, who are already subsisting on the margins, are
forced to bear right now for monitoring programs. If confirmed,
how will you ensure sustainable fisheries and reduce the cost
burden placed on our fishermen so that they can be able to
afford to fish for generations to come?
Mr. Myers. Thank you, Senator, for that question.
Yes, I understand that in some cases it may cost $500 a day
to have somebody on a boat doing those duties. But one of the
things that I think certainly would be helpful is trying to
understand the nature of technology and whether or not some of
these things cannot be done in a much more modernized way.
Senator Hassan. Thank you very much.
I yield the remainder of my time. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Senator Sullivan. Senator Cortez Masto.
STATEMENT OF HON. CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO,
U.S. SENATOR FROM NEVADA
Senator Cortez Masto. Thank you.
Mr. Myers, thank you and thank you for your willingness to
serve. I appreciate you being here.
The Western Regional Climate Center, a partnership with the
Desert Research Institute in Reno, Nevada, is one of six
regional climate centers in the United States that delivers
high quality climate data services in conjunction with NOAA and
national climate and weather partners. The WRCC serves as a
focal point for coordination of applied climate activities in
the west, including drought and climate monitoring and conduct
applied research on the impacts of climate variability and
climate extremes in the western United States.
Do you know if NOAA and the staff of the WRCC are under any
administration guidelines or edicts discouraging the mention of
global climate change when discussing and conducting climate
research? Are you aware of any administration guidelines
prohibiting that?
Mr. Myers. Senator, I am not, no.
Senator Cortez Masto. Would you ever condone any such
guidance?
Mr. Myers. Guidance that said certain words could not be
used in describing----
Senator Cortez Masto. Correct, that global climate change
could not be used when discussing and conducting climate
research.
Mr. Myers. No, I would not agree with that.
Senator Cortez Masto. OK.
As NOAA serves as co-chair of the Aquatic Nuisance Species
Task Force, how will you enforce its focus on aquatic invasive
species issues given that warming water temperatures will have
severe impacts not only to Lake Tahoe's ecosystems and
economies, but nationwide?
Mr. Myers. Senator, I am not sure if I can provide a quick
answer to that question. I would certainly be pleased to get
back to you on that in some greater detail.
Senator Cortez Masto. Thank you. I appreciate that. And so
can I get your commitment to work closely with the various
stakeholders in Nevada like those working hard to maintain Lake
Tahoe in its pristine condition and to address needed
scientific engagement on combating the effects of climate
change or other concerns like ecosystem restoration and
invasive species?
Mr. Myers. Yes.
Senator Cortez Masto. Thank you.
As part of its evolve initiative, the National Weather
Service plans to retrain and refocus its field workforce to
provide impact-based decision support services to both core
partners such as the media and local governmental entities and
its general partners such as local hospitals and school
districts and the general public. These efforts include
webinars, briefings, providing spot forecasts, utilizing social
media, preparedness, education, and development of specialized
forecasts.
Do you support the, quote, evolution of the National
Weather Service in this direction?
Mr. Myers. Senator, thank you for that question.
Yes, I do. AccuWeather was actually one of the first
signers of the Weather Ready Nation Initiative, and serving on
the Environmental Information Services Working Group as a group
advising the NOAA Science Advisory Board, I actually over the
years have significantly supported the whole concept of doing
this kind of IDSS initiative especially with local and State
emergency management agencies.
Senator Cortez Masto. Thank you.
In testimony before the House Science Committee in June of
2016, you urged the National Weather Service to focus on its
core mission of sharing data, support for developing models,
and severe weather warnings. You also claimed that the best
public forecast came from the private sector.
Should the National Weather Service curtail or terminate
issuance of its public forecasts?
Mr. Myers. I have not advocated that they do that. I think
that they need to certainly examine all their programs, but
they do a significant service. In fact, AccuWeather and other
companies in the field deliver the National Weather Service
public forecasts every day to millions of Americans.
Senator Cortez Masto. So the National Weather Service
should not curtail or terminate issuance of its public
forecasts?
Mr. Myers. I am not advocating that.
Senator Cortez Masto. Great. And you would not remove these
forecasts from the agency's website, weather.gov. Correct?
Mr. Myers. Not at all.
Senator Cortez Masto. Recently my colleagues in the House
have requested information relating to the National Weather
Service's operations and workforce analysis.
Will you commit to a fully transparent process and
completely fulfill information requests from Congress so that
they can be assured that any and all proposed decisions
stemming from the operations and workforce analysis are,
indeed, supported by evidence?
Mr. Myers. Senator, yes, I will. In fact, I was one of the
people who was interviewed for that analysis.
Senator Cortez Masto. Thank you.
And then finally, I just want your comment on this. You are
familiar with the Weather Profits Fund, LLC?
Mr. Myers. Yes, I am.
Senator Cortez Masto. Is that one that you are divesting
all interest and ownership in or any involvement with?
Mr. Myers. I do not have any interest or ownership in it.
Senator Cortez Masto. Fantastic.
So in an article describing this venture, your brother,
Joel Myers, was quoted as explaining how weather-based hedge
funds could profit from inside information. And it was quoted
and it said, ``for example, an investment manager can benefit
from knowing just 5 minutes ahead of time that the National
Weather Service in Silver Spring, Maryland is about to
reclassify a category 3 storm into a more powerful category 4
storm,'' he said. That could cause a spike in the price of
natural gas futures on which the manager could capitalize, Mr.
Myers said. And there is concern that now you were the brother
that would provide that inside information.
Can you address that article and address that concern?
Mr. Myers. Senator, yes, I can. Actually that comment was
made in conjunction with the concern that insider information
could and was being used by people within the agency, not
people outside of the agency. In fact, the National Weather
Service has taken the unusual step in 2000 of issuing a letter
but never formulated it into a policy that no employee of the
government could invest in such futures. There not being any
policy that actually stopped that, and there has been an
ongoing concern just as there is in the U.S. Department of
Agriculture's crop reports, that there be an uniform release
mechanism for all information to the public uniformly all at
once and that no employee of any government agency should be
able to leak that information elsewhere.
AccuWeather had no way to gain access to any such
information, and there is no way I can imagine that I would
have any way to do that. The people creating that information,
the agency, have it first, and those are the people that need
to be under some sort of a policy, I believe, to ensure uniform
release as most other government agencies have.
Senator Cortez Masto. Thank you. I notice my time is up.
Thank you.
Senator Sullivan. Senator Inhofe.
STATEMENT OF HON. JIM INHOFE,
U.S. SENATOR FROM OKLAHOMA
Senator Inhofe. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
First of all, we have lots of problems, and this
administration is going to be addressing a lot of these
problems. You know, I look at the deficit. It is something that
we are going to have to do something about. We are going to
have to get our heads together, and we are going to have to do
it. I have 20 kids and grandkids that I do not want to hand
these burdens off to. And so I would hope that you, in the
position that I hope that you will be confirmed for--and I
believe you will--would go along with doing everything we can
to be as frugal as possible in running the administration that
you would be involved in.
Would you do that?
Mr. Myers. Yes, I will, Senator.
Senator Inhofe. Would you also be willing to listen to
qualified scientists on every subject, including climate
change?
Mr. Myers. Yes, I will, Senator.
Senator Inhofe. After listening to the introduction by
Senator Toomey, I cannot imagine anyone would question your
qualifications for this office, and you definitely have it.
My State of Oklahoma has a couple unique things that are
not prevalent in some of the other states. For one thing, we
are in what we refer to as ``tornado alley.'' I have been in
aviation now for 60 years and I am still very active in it, and
I know a lot of people who will not even fly through southern
Kansas, northern Texas, and the State of Oklahoma. So we are
special. We have special needs in that respect.
Have you thought about how you can look at some of the
areas of the country that might need a little bit more
attention than some of the rest of them? In our case, it
happens to be in two areas. One is tornados and the other
drought.
Mr. Myers. Senator, thank you for that question, and I am
well aware of your prowess as a pilot.
AccuWeather has offices actually in Edmond, Oklahoma and
next door in neighboring Wichita, Kansas to deal with severe
weather, and tornados present a unique problem especially to
the United States, which is a country that has more tornados
than any other country on Earth. And you are right in the
middle of that.
Protecting lives and property is a critical mission that
NOAA has, and improving tornado warnings and tornado warning
lead time is critically important. The latest statistics show
that in fact some of the lead times have decreased, and I am
very concerned, if confirmed, to assure that that trend will be
going in the other direction. It is critically important.
The issues of drought, of rainfall are also critically
important in those states in the Midwest, and I am well aware
of what those problems and issues are. And I believe that NOAA
and the National Weather Service, certainly focusing on the
weather bill that was passed, have a mission to look at the
seasonal and sub-seasonal forecasting to assist farmers in that
regard.
Senator Inhofe. Well, that is one of the areas that I am
really interested in. I have been on the Senate Armed Services
Committee for many years. I have served as Ranking Member on
that. NOAA's polar and geostationary weather satellites
currently enable the most accurate forecast in history. I mean,
I have watched some of our tornados that have taken place like
in Moore, Oklahoma where we would have the information. It is
so much more now than it was 10 years ago, 20 years ago where
the prediction is much, much more accurate. And so that takes
care of that problem that we are having. I know that that is
going to continue to improve, and under your leadership, you
have the background to do that.
But so far as the national security is concerned, programs
rely on the NOAA satellite data, including global cloud imagery
used for planning and executing daily combat missions. Are you
aware of that contribution that is being made of that
technology to defending our nation?
Mr. Myers. Yes, I am.
Senator Inhofe. And this is something that I would like to
have you really concentrate on because it is an area where we
are dependent upon that. It is a matter of saving lives. I
think you and I have talked about that, and I think it is a
very important part of your mission. And I am hoping that you
will particularly be engaged in that work.
Mr. Myers. I pledge to do so, Senator.
Senator Inhofe. I look forward to working with you.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Senator Sullivan. Senator Wicker.
STATEMENT OF HON. ROGER F. WICKER,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MISSISSIPPI
Senator Wicker. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Myers, I look forward to working with you on a number
of issues of importance to my constituents and to the populace
in general.
One of those would be the full implementation of the
Coastal Act. The Coastal Act was signed into law July 6, 2012
and has still not been fully implemented. The problem that the
Coastal Act addresses is this issue after a hurricane loss of
determining whether that loss should be paid as a wind claim or
a water claim under the flood insurance program. The Coastal
Act was designed to lower the costs of FEMA's National Flood
Insurance Program by better discerning wind versus water,
particularly in cases where there is nothing left but a slab.
There is data out there that can be used, and I think it is
high time we got this bill fully implemented.
In that regard, I have introduced the Coastal
Implementation Act of 2017 to make technical changes to the Act
which would be necessary for NOAA to implement the law.
So I simply ask you, have you had time to familiarize
yourself with this since we chatted earlier? And will you
prioritize implementation of the Coastal Act so that coastal
property owners can be assured of fair compensation after
storms?
Mr. Myers. Senator Wicker, thank you for that question.
Yes, I am familiar with the Act, and I am also familiar
with the Federal Flood Insurance Act. In fact, AccuWeather has
testified in many of those cases in the past that were very
difficult to discern whether it was wind or water damage for
homeowners. And so I applaud the fact that there is such an Act
now, and its implementation is and should be a prime concern.
Senator Wicker. Well, very good. There is information out
there that we gather that we think can divide up these losses
in a fair way, and we can use that information. So thank you.
Let me switch then to the issue of aquaculture. And we know
a little about aquaculture in my State of Mississippi because
we produce more inland farm-raised catfish than all of the
other states put together.
I am working on an aquaculture bill that would expand and
enhance marine aquaculture. And, of course, NOAA will and does
play a key role in this industry already but can really play a
vital role as we expand this to what it can be for the United
States and catch up with other nations there.
So as NOAA Administrator, will you work with me on my
legislation to enhance aquaculture and advance the cause of
marine aquaculture in the United States?
Mr. Myers. Yes, I will, Senator.
Senator Wicker. Great.
And then let me just ask you to comment, if you will, about
unmanned systems. I am going to ask you, if you are confirmed--
and I am sure you will be--to work with me on a bill to
encourage the use of unmanned maritime systems by NOAA to meet
your mission priorities. Will you work with me on legislation
to move these unmanned system technologies forward?
Mr. Myers. I would be happy to.
Senator Wicker. Thank you. I look forward to working with
you.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Senator Sullivan. Thank you, Senator Wicker.
Senator Udall.
STATEMENT OF HON. TOM UDALL,
U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW MEXICO
Senator Udall. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Myers, NOAA's mission relies on the use and production
of good science that is shared with the public, and the agency
has demonstrated its commitment to good science by developing
its own scientific integrity policy. The purpose of the
scientific integrity policy is to strengthen scientists,
decisionmakers, and the public's confidence in quality and
reliable NOAA science and to demonstrate the agency's
commitment to a culture of scientific excellence.
And I think you can probably answer this one in a yes or no
format. You stated in your written testimony that scientific
integrity has been a core value and central component in the
success of the company you have led. Do you see a need to
change the current scientific integrity policies at NOAA?
Mr. Myers. I am familiar with the scientific integrity
policy, and I believe it is a good one. I am not in a position
right now to say whether I would suggest ways to improve it or
not, but I certainly support the entire concept of scientific
integrity underlying the work that is done.
Senator Udall. And will you commit to maintaining a culture
at the agency that respects the integrity of rigorously
researched and tested scientific findings and that does not
compromise scientific research and findings based on political
and other non-scientific concerns?
Mr. Myers. Yes.
Senator Udall. I mean, one of the things that I think is so
important in these agencies that have scientists is that they
are career people. They have spent a lot of time. They are real
resource. You do not intend to really disrupt that culture. Do
you?
Mr. Myers. I have no intent to disrupt the culture. I
support quality, peer-reviewed science. I have supported it in
academia, and I would support it at NOAA. So, no, I have no
reason to do that.
Senator Udall. Focusing right now on climate change
research, will you commit to not undermine the agency's
research on climate change?
Mr. Myers. I have no reason to undermine any research,
Senator, and certainly not that.
Senator Udall. Thank you very much.
Let me ask you a little bit. Will you commit to support and
carry out NOAA's statutory responsibilities implementing the
full suite of conservation laws, for example, the Endangered
Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the National
Marine Sanctuaries Act?
Mr. Myers. Yes, I will.
Senator Udall. And will you commit to support and advocate
for NOAA's missions and not to interfere with or undermine
those missions?
Mr. Myers. Yes, I will.
Senator Udall. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
Appreciate it.
Senator Inhofe [presiding]. Senator Cantwell.
STATEMENT OF HON. MARIA CANTWELL,
U.S. SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON
Senator Cantwell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Myers, we had a chance to talk about salmon, and
obviously, in the Pacific Northwest, they are not only an
economy, they are a part of our culture. Today there are 28
salmon stocks listed as endangered species under the Endangered
Species Act in Washington, Oregon, California, and Idaho. A
critical program in supporting the Pacific salmon fishery is
the Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Fund. The Trump
administration budget would propose completely eliminating that
fund. In addition, the largest commercial salmon fishery in the
world, Bristol Bay, is something that would threaten with
Pebble Mine our salmon. An assessment found by EPA that the
mine poses a direct threat at $1.5 billion of sockeye salmon
and threatens 20,000 jobs.
So with these actions and also proposing fisheries science
and management slashing of $24 million, I have a feeling this
administration is not as robustly supporting of fisheries
science as we think that we need to have for good management
and job creation.
So I like the fact that you are giving good short answers.
So do you support eliminating the Pacific Coastal Salmon
Recovery Fund?
Mr. Myers. Senator, thank you for that question.
I was certainly not involved in the decision, but I
understand that Secretary Ross has explained that hard
decisions were made, and the line had to be drawn somewhere
even with regard to top quality programs. I would certainly be
interested in finding out more, if confirmed, as to how these
decisions were made and what the future is with regard to these
concerns and issues.
Senator Cantwell. So that is an undecided? Is that what
that is? Is that an undecided?
Mr. Myers. I do not know that it was an undecided, Senator.
Senator Cantwell. Do you support the Pacific Coast Salmon
Recovery Fund?
Mr. Myers. Well, as I understand it, as you said, the
funding for that has not been recommended in the budget. So as
I say, I think the concern is that we have a quality program
that is currently not being funded.
Senator Cantwell. Do you support cuts in stock assessments?
Mr. Myers. Yes, I do.
Senator Cantwell. You support cuts in stock assessments?
Mr. Myers. No. I am sorry. I thought you said catch stock
assessments. I am sorry.
Senator Cantwell. Do you support the Administration's cuts
in stock assessment?
Mr. Myers. I am not intimately familiar with what they have
done in terms of that. I would be happy to get back to you on
that.
Senator Cantwell. Yes, please do. This is very important.
Do you support the proposed Pebble Mine?
Mr. Myers. Again, Senator, I am not intimately familiar
with it. I know what the issue is, but I do not have the
details of it.
Senator Cantwell. Maybe you can come back and give us
something on that. It is critically important. I know a lot of
people are asking you about weather because of your background,
but to me NOAA is about fish, and it is very important that we
get these policies right.
I also want to ask you about a different conflict of
interest issue, which is NOAA's role in oil spills and what you
have to do. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 is the bedrock of
what oil spill prevention and response is. As the NOAA Under
Secretary, you will have a leading role in ensuring that the
law is executed and polluters pay.
As you know, Commerce Secretary Ross is still a shareholder
in Diamond Shipping Group, a shipping company that operates 33
medium-range tankers that move petroleum and other products
between international ports. Along with this role that you will
have as Under Secretary, Secretary Ross oversees the large
areas of response. Do you think Secretary Ross has a conflict
of interest due to the ownership of Diamond Shipping and the
authorities granted to him under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990?
And if you do not know an answer here and you want to get back
to me, that is OK too.
Mr. Myers. Yes, I do not know an answer, and I would be
happy to get back to you, Senator.
Senator Cantwell. So what I am looking for is protection of
a robust economy that is around our waters for fishing, and
obviously, when oil spills happen, they damage those fisheries.
I believe the Secretary is conflicted here. I think they keep
changing their story as to whether he is involved or not
involved. While you have a similar issue that you are trying to
address here this morning, I am interested in what we are going
to do to make sure that there are not conflicts here and that
we know that someone is going to be aggressive in protecting
our fisheries. So you can get back to me on those answers. I
appreciate it.
Mr. Myers. Thank you, Senator.
Senator Cantwell. Thank you.
Senator Inhofe. Senator Duckworth.
STATEMENT OF HON. TAMMY DUCKWORTH,
U.S. SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS
Senator Duckworth. Thank you.
I would like to return, Mr. Myers, to the discussion a
little bit on sciences. As you know, science is the bedrock of
NOAA for executing its mission. 11 out of the 12 previous NOAA
administrators appointed by both Republican and Democratic
Presidents have all held PhDs in a science-related field. You
are a lawyer by training and an accomplished businessman, but I
am concerned that your background and experience lacks any
scientific expertise that has benefited most of your
predecessors. However, I have been very encouraged by your
answers today and the answers you gave me in our multiple
meetings that we have had about your support for science.
So I would like to ask you a couple questions briefly about
how you will recommend NOAA approach its scientific work and
whether you will surround yourself with scientists and allow
them to do their jobs. Do you agree that scientific work at
NOAA should be free of political agendas and any bias from
senior management?
Mr. Myers. Yes.
Senator Duckworth. Do you agree that scientists and not
political appointees should determine the direction of
scientific work at NOAA?
Mr. Myers. Yes.
Senator Duckworth. Do you agree that science should be
accessible to the public and published freely?
Mr. Myers. The only clarification I have to that is that
quality science that is peer-reviewed and meets the quality
assurances that is generally considered appropriate in
scientific fields, yes.
Senator Duckworth. Do you agree that as a taxpayer-funded
agency that the taxpayers should have access to the scientific
results as a result of the work of scientists at NOAA?
Mr. Myers. Yes, they should.
Senator Duckworth. Thank you.
Mr. Myers, our military leaders have made it very clear
that climate change is a national security issue that is
exacerbating conflicts around the world. In fact, even in my
own National Guard unit in Illinois, our commander of the
Illinois Army National Guard actually gave a speech to us when
I was a young officer saying that it does not matter if you
believe in climate change or not, but the icecaps are melting
and the Russians are going to get access to the polar reaches
and we will have to defend, that drought is causing large
population migrations in Africa and that will mean eventually
greater U.S. involvement from the resulting conflict.
So I am alarmed that instead of heeding our military's
sound logic regarding the interconnectedness of these issues,
the Trump administration has done everything it can to prevent
the Executive Branch from even talking about climate change.
And this is reflected in the dramatic cuts, 32 percent, from
NOAA's Climate Change Office.
How do you reconcile these observations? Do you support
robust investments in climate change research, as well as
action on climate change, and do you agree with our military
leaders that human-caused climate change is indeed a national
security threat?
Mr. Myers. Senator, thank you for that question.
And I believe that actually General Mattis during his
confirmation hearing addressed that same issue and indicated
that climate change was a national security concern that was
having effects with regard to our bases and other activities
around the world.
And I also agree with you that if ice is melting, ice is
melting, and one's opinion about it is really not relevant. It
is a fact.
And so I fully support the ability, as I said, of
scientists to do their work unfettered. That disinformation
needs to be then made available. Science should take us
wherever it takes us, and we cannot dispute the facts once they
are in front of us, and we need to act upon them.
Senator Duckworth. Thank you.
A concern that I have with NOAA--this sort of touches on my
colleague's mentioning that NOAA is just beyond weather. The
National Weather Service's satellite budget is growing in
dominance in terms of NOAA's overall budget, and as vital as
that is, I would like to know how someone such as yourself who
has dedicated your entire career to working on weather issues
will deal with all of the other needs within NOAA that are non-
weather related. How will you ensure, for example, that we have
a modern fleet of satellites without neglecting other parts of
the agency's mission as that fleet of satellites continues to
be more expensive and requires greater resources?
Mr. Myers. Thank you, Senator, for that question.
Certainly the satellite programs are a challenge. We have
the best satellite program I believe in the world, and we have
plans to continue to maintain it as such, which I support. But
we are fortunate that we have new companies that are starting
to come into the space with low orbit satellites that are
smaller that do different or complementary missions, and we
need to look at all those for solutions to the burgeoning costs
of these things. But we definitely need to make sure that we
ensure that we are getting the kind of data that we need to
populate our weather models and do our weather forecasting
because that is critically important.
And I fully agree with you that NOAA is a huge agency, and
yes, my background is mostly in the weather side or so-called
dry side of the agency. But if you look at the agency in terms
of fisheries, oceans, coasts, planes and boats, buoys,
weather--and I could go on and on. It is a huge agency with a
huge portfolio of many diverse but somewhat interrelated
aspects. And I hope to bring quality management and new ideas,
new technology to all of it.
Senator Duckworth. Will you ask for more funding for those
programs if they need it?
Mr. Myers. As needed as time goes by, of course I will.
Senator Duckworth. Thank you.
I yield back.
Senator Sullivan [presiding]. Senator Peters.
STATEMENT OF HON. GARY PETERS,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MICHIGAN
Senator Peters. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Myers, I will join my colleagues in welcoming you to
the Committee, and I certainly do appreciate your willingness
to serve the public as well. Thank you for your willingness to
serve. And I certainly also appreciate the time we spent
together in my office discussing many of these issues, some
that you just outlined in great depth.
But I would like to hear today your thoughts on NOAA's
cybersecurity and what steps you would take to protect data
from foreign intrusion. In addition to being on this committee,
I also serve on the Homeland Security Committee. I also serve
on the Armed Services Committee. National security is something
I think a great deal about, and I think without question
probably our number one national security risk are potential
cyber attacks and not only potential, the ones that we have
already received and will continue to get.
And my question to you, sir, is that last year NOAA
upgraded its data dissemination infrastructure allowing faster
data streaming speeds while improving the agency's
cybersecurity. And as part of this shift, NOAA notified
AccuWeather, your company, and other commercial weather
providers the agency would no longer allow companies a physical
link to NOAA's data assets in private industry, an agreement
that was previously called the family of services which
afforded companies, including AccuWeather, preferential
treatment basically. NOAA's action to decouple the physical
connection was taken at the direction of the National Security
Council to provide faster and more secure data and specifically
to protect the data from cybersecurity threats.
Your company, AccuWeather, was the only company to voice
opposition to this improvement. And I understand you met with
then Secretary of Commerce Pritzker to ask that she would
intervene on your behalf, reverse the upgrade, and allow
AccuWeather to continue to retain a physical link to NOAA's
data despite some very clear cybersecurity risks associated
with that.
So my question is, what steps will you take to uphold and
to strengthen NOAA's management of cybersecurity threats?
Mr. Myers. Senator, thank you very much for that question
and maybe an opportunity to clarify something.
Actually the family of services is available to anyone. It
is a paid connection. And most of the major companies in the
weather industry had connections, and in fact, it is the only
time I can remember every single company signed a letter of
protest about an action taken by the National Weather Service.
Part of the reason for that, as it turned out, was that the
explanation I think that was afforded to the companies that
were connected that were being terminated at the time was not
sufficient. But once we understood the national security issue
that was involved--and it took a while to somewhat tease that
out--we understood what was going on.
There was concern with regard to the new delivery mechanism
because 95 percent of the public receives its information now
in the United States with regard to weather through companies
that are in the weather industry, and even delays of a few
seconds in a tornado situation could be critical. So the
industry was rightfully concerned about the issue of
timeliness. We were not concerned about the issue of security
nor the mechanism, and in fact, the current mechanism is what
it is and it seems to be working. And we have worked with the
government on that and other issues as changes take place. But
I think it was quite a reasoned position to take at the time
knowing what we knew and not knowing what we did not know.
Senator Peters. And so knowing what you know now because
you said your concern was timing not security, you do believe
that security, especially cybersecurity, is of critical
importance. And what steps do you plan to undertake, if
confirmed?
Mr. Myers. Senator, I fully agree that cybersecurity is a
huge challenge and critically important. It is something we as
a company and other companies address daily. It is something
clearly that NOAA needs to address in the most effective way
possible.
I believe actually NOAA is a national defense agency for a
whole variety of reasons, some of which were mentioned
previously in terms of the relationship with the military and
the security of the Nation. So I fully support the need for
robust cybersecurity.
Senator Peters. Mr. Myers, we also had a chance to speak
about marine sanctuaries when you were in my office, and we
talked about Alpina, Michigan which is home to the Thunder Bay
National Marine Sanctuary. I had an opportunity to show you
some photographs of that wonderful sanctuary and the map of the
sanctuary.
The Great Lakes also have a Wisconsin Lake Michigan
sanctuary moving through the designation process and a
nominated sanctuary in Lake Erie. The Thunder Bay sanctuary, as
you and I talked about, draws hundreds of thousands of visitors
annually, has revitalized coastal communities, certainly a very
important part of NOAA's mission, I believe.
So I just want to get your commitment on the record and
your thoughts about supporting and maintaining our current list
of national marine sanctuaries.
Mr. Myers. Thank you, Senator, for that. And I also want to
thank you for the assurance that I could see a sanctuary in a
glass-bottom boat and I was not going to have to dive.
No, I think that the sanctuary program has been a very good
program, and I do support it. I know there are several others
that are pending. I do not know the details on those, but agree
that it is a quality program.
Senator Peters. Thank you.
Senator Sullivan. Mr. Myers, I have just a few follow-up
questions. One is, if confirmed--and I think that is highly
likely. I think you have done an outstanding job in this
hearing today, and you are very well qualified. Can I get your
commitment to come to Alaska? We have a lot of NOAA services
that I have explained to you in our meeting and then in this
hearing today. I would welcome your commitment to do that.
Mr. Myers. Well, Senator, thank you for that. I many times
tell people I have visited every state in the Lower 48 and I
have never been to Alaska or Hawaii. I would love to have the
opportunity.
Senator Sullivan. Well, I think the Ranking Member and I
want you to change that record. So if confirmed, can you commit
to coming not just to Alaska but to Hawaii as well?
Mr. Myers. Yes, I will.
Senator Sullivan. Great.
I think one thing you will see in Alaska is the size.
Right? If you superimpose my state on the Lower 48, you will
see Ketchikan, Alaska would be right around where St.
Petersburg, Florida is and the Aleutian Island chain would be
where San Diego is. That is the kind of territory we are
talking about covering and that NOAA has responsibility for.
And yet, Alaska has 3 percent of the weather capability found
in the Lower 48. This is a serious safety concern for my
constituents, many of whom live in extremely remote areas of
the country. We have few roads, making air and maritime
transportation necessary for daily life. Therefore, timely,
accurate, and accessible weather forecasts from the National
Weather Service are essential.
In some cases, however, Alaskan air carriers have had to
purchase weather data, which the National Weather Service is
required by law to provide. Further, many Alaskans who travel
to remote areas to hunt and fish rely on twice-a-day, broadband
weather transmissions to help them determine if it is safe to
travel that day.
We recently learned or heard that these radio
transmissions, which are such a critical lifeline and safety
line in Alaska, will no longer be reported with no plan to have
a replacement program. This would be very devastating to my
constituents.
Will you commit to helping enhance the weather reporting
capabilities in Alaska, if confirmed, and take a look at this
issue upon confirmation on the canceling of this very important
and I think quite cost effective program for NOAA and my
constituents?
Mr. Myers. Senator Sullivan, thank you for the question.
I will be happy to look at it. I am not familiar with it at
this time, but clearly your state is presented with challenges
because of its size and population spread and these are special
concerns that need to be considered.
Senator Sullivan. Great. Thank you.
Well, given our hope to place you on our next markup, the
hearing record will remain open through Wednesday, December 6.
During this time, Senators are asked to submit any questions
for the record for you, Mr. Myers. Upon receipt, we
respectfully ask that you submit written answers as
expeditiously as possible to the Committee but no later than
Monday, December 11.
Again, I want to thank you for appearing today, for your
desire to serve your country and give back to your country, as
you noted very movingly in your opening statement.
This hearing is now adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 12:10 p.m., the hearing was adjourned.]
A P P E N D I X
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John Thune to
Barry Lee Myers
Question 1. Section 405 of the of the Weather Research and
Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (hereinafter, the Weather Act)
specifically requires warning coordination meteorologists to increase
NOAA's impact-based decision support services, including by liaising
with users of products and services of the National Weather Service
(NWS) and collaborating with State, local, and tribal governments. If
confirmed, how would you seek to increase the NWS's deployment of
impact-based decision support services?
Answer. I actively supported this legislation including this
provision. I will serve as a blueprint to guide the agency. I am
advised NOAA has taken preliminary steps to address the efficiency and
effectiveness of its impact-based decision support services by
commissioning a study on this topic. If confirmed as NOAA
Administrator, I will review the recommendations of this new study to
ensure that deployment of impact-based decision support services align
with the core mission of the agency, coordinate with state, local and
tribal governments, and best serve the American people.
Question 2. As you know, one of my priorities in the Weather Act is
promoting research and forecasting for seasonal and subseasonal weather
conditions. These forecasts are of vital importance to the vibrant
agricultural economy in my state of South Dakota and help weather-
dependent businesses make long-term decisions and avoid costs and even
disasters. If confirmed, do you commit to ensuring these seasonal
forecasts are a high priority for NOAA going forward?
Answer. Yes. Seasonal and subseasonal weather forecasts are an
emerging and important new area for the National Weather Service
mission. Increasing our ability to forecast weather events, from short-
term events such as tornadoes to long term events such as drought, will
improve our ability to protect American lives and property and enhance
the national economy.
Question 3. The Senate Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over the
United States Coast Guard, and in my role as Chairman I have continued
to monitor the situation where Mexican citizens are illegally
harvesting red snapper in U.S. waters off of Texas. The Coast Guard
interdicts and seizes many of these launchas, but no civil penalties
have been issued by NOAA to punish and stop this behavior. I am,
however, aware of NOAA moving forward with a negative certification of
Mexico resulting in restriction of some port access and services in the
area. Will you continue to monitor this situation and keep me informed
on discussions with Mexico to dissuade these bad actors from harvesting
such a valuable fish in U.S. water?
Answer. Yes. I share your concern about poaching and how it impacts
our ability to sustainably manage our fisheries. According to some
Coast Guard numbers, illegal fishing along the U.S.-Mexico border costs
the country over $11 million in revenue each year. I understand that
red snapper is a key fish that is targeted in these launchas, which
hurts not only our commercial fishermen, who then have to compete with
cheaper fish on the marketplace, but also our recreational fishermen
whose seasons are limited as we attempt to rebuild the stock that is
illegally depleted. I will keep you informed as we investigate
opportunities to curtail these incursions on our commerce.
Question 4. Two years ago, in December 2015, the Committee first
requested technical drafting assistance (TDA) from NOAA about the
Fishing Capacity Reduction Program, specifically related to necessary
authority. I have not received the requested TDA to date, despite
numerous follow-up requests. I would like to know what authority would
be required for NOAA to make individual loans under the program and
what authority NOAA would need to refinance Capacity Reduction loans.
If confirmed, can you commit to providing the requested TDA within two
months of your confirmation?
Answer. Given that a priority of mine is reducing the seafood trade
deficit, I am interested in finding ways to help our commercial
fisheries maximize their sustainable harvests. I share the Committee's
interest in helping to put fishing businesses on a level playing field
with other businesses getting Federal loans and I will work
expeditiously to understand the delay and work to provide the technical
drafting guidance you seek.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Roger F. Wicker to
Barry Lee Myers
Question 1. Would you agree that exploring emerging technology like
smartphone apps for estimating angler catch is something NOAA Fisheries
should be considering for managing saltwater recreational fisheries?
Answer. Yes. I understand there is concern with the methods that
NOAA employs to estimate recreational landings because it appears that
newer technology is available that could lead to more effective and
timely catch count. It is difficult to effectively manage what cannot
be accurately counted. It is in the best interest for all that NOAA
pursue technologies to provide fishery managers with better, more
reliable and real-time data to improve our recreational fishery
management. Many of these technologies already exist in everyday use on
mobile devices that utilize wireless communications and GPS locational
technologies. I look forward to applying my private sector experience
in developing mobile weather applications to facilitate these
technologies for our recreational fisheries.
Question 2. What is the long term plan for NOAA to recapitalize or
modernize the aging G-IV hurricane chase aircraft? Would you consider
leasing a previously owned aircraft that could represent a more cost
efficient option?
Answer. If confirmed, I will support the Weather Research and
Forecasting Innovation Act, to acquire back-up capabilities that are
currently provided by the G-IV aircraft. As part of this back-up
capability all aspects of fulfilling this need from intra-governmental
aircraft sharing MOUs to supplemental data from UAVs and public private
partnerships should be considered. Additionally, refurbishment or
replacement should be considered. Options to ensure no lapse in this
critical component of the hurricane observing network needs to be the
goal.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Dean Heller to
Barry Lee Myers
Question 1. As a rancher in Nevada, I check the weather every
single day. I need to know about precipitation, soil moisture and
temperature, changes in dewpoint, and other conditions.
Detailed weather data from NOAA is something Nevada ranchers and
farmers--from Winnemucca to Ely and Elko--rely on every day to make
decisions that will impact their yields for that year.
But there are some in the commercial weather industry who want to
limit access to this data so it can be monetized.
Taxpayer dollars fund the collection of this data--and taxpayers
should have full access to it.
Will you commit to continue collecting the weather data that allows
ranchers and farmers to make informed decisions?
Answer. Yes. Weather data which is paid for with Taxpayer dollars
should be available to all citizens.
Question 2. Will you commit to not limiting the National Weather
Service from releasing forecast information to the public?
Answer. Yes. Weather forecasts which are funded by Taxpayer dollars
should be available to all citizens.
Question 3. Will you commit that you will not hand over any
National Weather Service data exclusively to a third party that could
result in limited public access or a paywall for accessing weather
data?
Answer. Yes. Weather data which is paid for with Taxpayer dollars
should be available to all citizens.
Question 4. Will you commit that private companies will not receive
weather data or forecasts before the general public has access to it?
Answer. Yes. All government weather data and forecasts should be
made available to all--citizens and companies alike--through uniform
release mechanisms which make the information available to all
simultaneously.
Question 5. Another important NOAA program in Nevada is the Western
Regional Climate Center.
The research they do touches on Lake Tahoe, water conservation in
Nevada, monitoring smoke from fires, drought monitoring, and wind
energy assessments.
Will you commit to supporting this program and the other centers?
Answer. NOAA's Regional Climate Centers are an important tool that
helps NOAA pursue research in its climate portfolio. If confirmed, I
will support NOAA's mission, which includes climate, weather, and ocean
research.
______
Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Shelley Moore Capito
to Barry Lee Myers
Question. NOAA has a large and significant presence in West
Virginia, and we are very proud of the investment NOAA has made in my
state--specifically in Fairmont, West Virginia. This facility serves as
the primary backup facility for all of NOAA's emergency contingency
operations. We would like to do more, and feel we have the people and
the capabilities to do so. For example, WV plays a role, and can do
more, in the realm of high performance computing.
Most recently, the West Virginia facility serves as the
Consolidated Backup Facility for the GOES-R, now GOES-16, satellite
mission that launched in November 2016 and was so vital in forecasting
operations for the most recent hurricanes, including Hurricane Marie as
it neared Puerto Rico last week. Will you commit to working with me to
strengthen NOAA's partnership in Fairmont?
Answer. Yes. I understand that NOAA's facility in Fairmont has a
quality reputation and is a linchpin in the I-79 Technology Park. If
confirmed, I would appreciate the opportunity to visit the facility and
investigate opportunities to strengthen NOAA's partnership in Fairmont.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Bill Nelson to
Barry Lee Myers
Question 1. If NOAA elects to buy a greater percentage of data from
the private sector to supplement the agency's weather data as you have
advocated for in the past, how do you suggest balancing commercial
weather companies' concerns about sharing proprietary models and data
with NOAA's mandate to provide the American public and foreign partners
with all available information to protect life and property--
information that has been bought with taxpayer dollars?
Answer. My position has been that this is an area that needs to be
studied as I support the NOAA mandate to provide the American public
with all available information to protect life and property.
Information supported by taxpayer dollars--whether created within the
government or purchased from outside sources--needs to be made
available according to applicable law and regulations to everyone
freely and openly. Keeping data behind locked doors and away from
American citizens through restrictive licenses is problematic. The
Weather Research and Forecast Innovation Act signed this year opens the
door for NOAA to work through this issue for the benefit of the Nation.
Question 2. In the past, you have said that sunny day forecasts
should not be provided by the National Weather Service because they do
not protect life and property. However, there are numerous examples of
life or death situations that occur on sunny days. For example, sunny
day flooding in Miami Beach can cause serious damage to property, and
rip currents and swell size can be a matter of life and death for the
thousands of people that use Florida's beaches. Furthermore, twelve
senior citizens died from heat exhaustion in a nursing home after
Hurricane Irma. This was on a sunny day. Free and accessible sunny day
forecasts are critical to life and property. Can you make an assurance
that, if you are confirmed, the National Weather Service will continue
to freely provide all sunny-day forecast products it currently issues?
Answer. I think the question above is blending the ``sunny day''
forecast issue with life and property concerns. I agree that life and
property concerns are paramount and within the mission of NOAA. Some of
my past references about ``sunny day'' forecasts related to situations
where staff was being pulled away from life and property tasks to
handle routine matters. That is always a balance that needs to favor
life and property protection.
Question 3. Can you commit to protecting current resources and
funding for the National Weather Service's impact-based decision
support services (IDSS)?
Answer. If confirmed, I will support further development of the
National Weather Service's IDSS, which is an interpretative service
provided to help core partners, such as emergency personnel and public
safety officials, make decisions when weather, water and climate
impacts the American people. This is part of the NWS Weather Ready
Nation (WRN) initiative that I was a major contributor and support of
prior to launch.
Question 4. The National Weather Service has an obligation to the
taxpayers to provide products and services to protect life and
property. Please list and describe any products or services that the
National Weather Service currently provides that you believe fall
outside of this obligation.
Answer. The National Weather Service provides life-saving forecasts
and warnings every day. They carry out one of the core missions of
NOAA. I support all of their core missions in (1) data creation and
gathering including remote sensing from space, (2) numeric weather
prediction (modeling), (3) severe weather warnings for water,
tornadoes, hurricanes, snow, etc. (4) seasonal and sub-seasonal
forecasting (5) climate prediction, to name a few. Outside of the
obligation are special taxpayer funded value added forecasts for
specific businesses and industries, for example. As the weather
industry continues to evolve and advance, this will benefit NOAA and
NWS and the Nation. We have the best weather services for our citizens
of any nation on earth, and through cooperation between government and
the private sector that will continue to be the case.
Question 5. In recent years, AccuWeather has registered a number of
website domains that mimic official U.S. Government weather domains.
When people go to those official-sounding domains, they are redirected
to the AccuWeather website. For example, ``nationalweatherservice.org''
and ``weatheralerts.org'' were registered by AccuWeather. In the case
of ``nationalweatherservice.org,'' the National Weather Service
requested that AccuWeather stop using that particular domain name, but
AccuWeather refused. To this day, that site still redirects people to
the AccuWeather site.
Answer. AccuWeather has never posed as a government entity, in fact
it has the strongest weather brand in the world. Its website is also
free to the public. At the outset of the Internet in the 1990s all
companies, usually through their technical service and computer
departments, and many government agencies, scrambled to create and
secure domain names that they thought would be important. It was
somewhat the ``wild west'' and many people went to significant lengths
to secure variations of words and names. Additionally, there were at
the start of the Internet only four domains .com, .net, .gov, and .edu.
Back then the .gov designation was for government sites, and the other
domains were for others to use. Additionally, many URLs and brand or
trademarks did not align. And many people had URLs that sounded or
looked similar to other brands or organizations. AccuWeather has always
been sensitive to those concerns. And over the many years since those
days has policed issues to ensure common sense in the use of URL and
also trademark alignment. Today, in 2017, there are an unlimited number
of domains. As a result, there are now dozens of
``nationalweatherservice'' domains currently in use or available for
sale on the internet, such as ``nationalweatherservice.network.'' These
are totally unrelated to AccuWeather or the National Weather Service,
and the number will only be expected to grow. I was not the AccuWeather
CEO in the 1990s at that time and did not always know about the many
URL domains we had or that others registered. However, on January 3,
2003, upon the request of the NWS, I was informed of this URL that had
the name ``national'' ``weather'' and ``service'' in lower case letters
and all run together as one long word with the .org URL suffix. In full
cooperation with NWS I required the servers at AccuWeather be changed
so that ``nationalweatherservice.org'' would no longer point to an
AccuWeather site, and it was ``mothballed,'' in cooperation with NWS
and as NWS had requested. In 2005 I was advised by the NWS that the URL
was functional again and ordered it terminated again. Until your
question, it was assumed that it continued to be inactive. However,
upon inquiry this week, it was discovered that on or about June 20,
2016 the company made server upgrades which updated all of the Domain
Name Servers. This inadvertently reactivated the mothballed domain.
That is why your staff thought it to be active. It has once again been
deactivated. If you plug in that domain it will not go to AccuWeather.
Such non-prompted domains usually generate little or no traffic.
Although these actions under the Internet domain registration protocols
were permissible, AccuWeather was responsive and cooperative with NWS
when the issue was raised. In fact AccuWeather has always worked well
with the NWS as to intellectual property concerns. For example, two
years ago, at my behest, AccuWeather licensed two very important
tornado warning observer reporting patents to NWS free of change, for
the good of the public. The URL issue above was a minor unintended
event. However, this situation, and your questions, have alerted me to
an intellectual property issue relative to NOAA as to what actions
were, and are, taken to protect the NWS brands and URLs, as a company
would have done. This is an area I plan to have reviewed at NOAA, if
confirmed.
Question 5A. What was AccuWeather's intent in registering these
official-sounding websites and redirecting the traffic?
Answer. See answer to main question above.
Question 5B. Do you agree that this could be confusing to the
general public--especially when someone is seeking official information
on a hurricane or other severe weather event?
Answer. See answer to main question above.
Question 5C. If confirmed, what types of actions will you take to
ensure that private weather forecasting services do not use websites to
confuse people seeking emergency weather warnings?
Answer. See answer to main question above.
Question 6. Will you commit to standing up to climate deniers?
Answer. NOAA is an agency that must adhere to an information policy
based on transparent, defendable, and reproducible scientific studies
acquired through the well-established scientific method and peer-review
process. Any and all research that adheres to required academic and
Federal peer review standards should be disseminated.
Question 6A. Further, will you commit to continuing NOAA's
important work on climate science?
Answer. Yes.
Question 6B. Lastly, will you commit to preserving the funding and
resources that NOAA currently needs for climate research and outreach?
Answer. If confirmed, it is my intention to continue NOAA's
scientific climate research and outreach within the funding authorized
by Congress.
Question 7. For many residents of Florida, climate change and sea
level rise are not theories--they are something they live with every
day. Residents of Miami Beach and many other parts of South Florida,
for example, now have to deal with street flooding during minor storms
and King Tides. What do they need to do to prepare, and how can NOAA
help them?
Answer. There is no disputing the observed sea-level rise, and the
South Florida region has been experiencing an increase roughly six
times the global average. NOAA can assist through the continued
research on the causes and projections on sea level rise. NOAA's duty
to the taxpayers is to continue to further the understanding and
predictability of these processes, both anthropogenic and natural. In
addition, NOAA's flood inundation capability may play an additive role
here.
Question 8. In pre-hearing questions, you noted that, before
publishing any scientific studies, NOAA must ensure that the data and
research adhere to high standards of scientific quality. Do you think
that NOAA currently adheres to high standards of scientific quality?
Answer. To the best of my knowledge I believe NOAA as an
organization adheres to this policy, yes. I agree with, and support
NOAA's scientific integrity policy NAO 202735D.
Question 8A. What is your opinion of NOAA's current peer review
process?
Answer. While peer-review processes at any organization are not
perfect, it is the most robust method for vetting scientific research.
NOAA's use of OMB's ``Final Information Quality Bulletin for Peer
Review'', which employs methods recommended by the National Academy of
Sciences is a rigorous process.
Question 8B. If confirmed, do you plan to change or allow change to
either NOAA's peer review process or scientific integrity policies?
Answer. If confirmed, I have no present plans to change either the
process or peer review policy.
Question 9. By flying into and above storms, hurricane hunter
aircraft collect critical data for NOAA's forecasts. Although these
aircraft are critical to NOAA's forecasting capabilities, they are
aging and there is no backup capability. Earlier this year Congress
passed H.R. 353 requiring a backup capability for the hurricane
hunters. However, there have been multiple emergency repairs this
season. For example, in September, the main cabin door on the
Gulfstream started leaking at forty-five thousand feet and the aircraft
had to make an emergency landing during reconnaissance for Hurricane
Maria. In light of the deteriorating condition of the current G-IV
Hurricane Hunter and its inability to reliably perform its critical
mission, if confirmed, do you commit to not only expediting the process
for the backup plan but also replacing the current G-IV aircraft with a
newer model?
Answer. The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act
requires this, and I do commit to providing this plan as fast as
possible if confirmed. As part of this plan, all aspects to fulfilling
this back-up capability from supplemental data to refurbishment or
replacement should be considered.
Question 10. In 2016, NOAA published its plan for the
recapitalization of its research vessel fleet. Some of these vessels
are almost 50 years old, and two of NOAA's vessels were recently taken
out of commission for extensive repairs. What will you do to ensure
that NOAA's recapitalization plan stays on track and its vessels are
able to continue carrying out their vital research missions?
Answer. I share your concern regarding the aging fleet of NOAA's
vessels. These vessels have been instrumental to so many of the
agencies' missions. I am aware of the Final Report of the NOAA
Independent Review Team on NOAA Fleet Recapitalization (October 1,
2016) and personally met with the co-chair, Dick West, RADM, United
States Navy (ret). If confirmed, I would work to implement it within
available budget resources.
Question 11. An important part of setting annual catch limits in
fisheries is the collection of fishery dependent data, but the
collection of this data in recreational fisheries--through dockside
interviews, mail-in questionnaires, etc.--has been challenging. As a
result, lower recreational catch limits are set at more precautionary
levels to make sure overfishing is prevented. In your view, what are
the reasons accurate recreational fishing data collection is such a
challenge and what will you do to improve it?
Answer. Garnering accurate recreational fishing data is a
challenge, particularly in Florida where there are thousands of docks
and points of access for recreational fishermen and The Commission on
Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Management published statistics that
show that there are 4,878,000 recreational saltwater anglers in
Florida, more than any other state. Commercial and for-hire data is
much more robust and with the use of electronic reporting these sectors
have been able to minimize uncertainty and therefore maximize their
harvests. The ability to more accurately and timely estimate or measure
recreational landings will require the use of technologies such as
applications on mobile devices. Facilitating the development,
implementation and certification of these technologies will be a
priority, should I be confirmed.
Question 12. One of the most important provisions in the last
Magnuson-Stevens Act reauthorization was to require fishery management
councils to set annual catch limits in all fisheries that cannot, by
law, exceed the levels recommended by their scientific and statistical
committees. The result has been that many fisheries have returned to
healthier levels than we have seen for a long time. What are your views
on the importance of science-based annual catch limits and
accountability measures in sustainable fishery management?
Answer. Science-based catch limits and accountability measures have
been, and will continue to be, key components in the rebuilding of many
of our fish stocks. Accurate data is a critical core input to these
approaches.
Question 12A. Are you committed to basing management decisions on
the best available science?
Answer. Yes, science needs to guide management decisions.
Question 13. To save lives and property, it is essential to have
accurate, accessible forecasts. This is the core function of the
National Weather Service. As of July, however, the National Weather
Service had over six hundred vacant positions out of a workforce of
over four thousand. If confirmed, what will you do to address the
employment vacancies?
Answer. I understand there are vacancies throughout the agency, but
NWS appears to be the most challenged in this regard. If confirmed, I
will take into account the recent National Weather Service Operations
Workforce Analysis (OWA) performed by McKinsey & Co. and independently
evaluate the situation, to ensure we recruit, hire, train, and retain a
robust and highly skilled workforce that can most effectively
accomplish the NOAA mission and within the budget limits as
appropriated by Congress.
Question 13A. Will you commit to exempting weather service public
safety employees from any hiring delay or freeze?
Answer. If confirmed, I will study the reports mentioned above to
better understand the cause of these delays, and the most efficient
process to mitigate them in the future.
Question 14. In your response to pre-hearing questions on the
weather satellite system, you state, ``NOAA will need to understand and
manage the risks to these programs and potential rescheduling options
to ensure that it is cost-effective in meeting long term programmatic
requirements.'' If you are confirmed, will you commit to providing a
strategy, in writing, on how you plan to address managing the risks to
these programs (for example, the JPSS and GOES programs) while ensuring
that there is no gap in satellite coverage?
Answer. If confirmed, I will have the agency develop and provide a
strategy, and look forward to working with you and your staff to ensure
we have continuity of observations, while taking into consideration
opportunities to reduce risk, save resources and advance capabilities.
Question 15. In 2017, the NESDIS Independent Review Team found that
without accelerating the launches of JPSS-3/4 (the Polar Follow-On
program) there is a high probability of a gap in coverage from our
Polar-orbiting operational environmental satellite constellation.
However, the administration has proposed reducing funds for the Polar
Follow-on program. In light of this, how will you work to ensure there
is no gap in coverage?
Answer. I appreciate the difficulties and challenges associated
with NOAA's satellite programs and their budgets. In recent years, NOAA
satellites have accounted for roughly 40 percent of the agency's
overall budget while simultaneously trying to balance other important
portfolios. My understanding is that the President's FY18 budget
includes funding to develop PFO/JPSS-3 and JPSS-4 instruments and
spacecraft buses that are copies of JPSS-2. If confirmed, I look
forward to reviewing this plan and working with Congress to avoid a gap
in coverage.
Question 16. Between NOAA's cancellation of the COSMIC-2B program
and the so far unsuccessful commercial weather satellite data pilot
program, there is concern that NOAA may be facing a gap in critical
radio occultation data. How do you plan to mitigate this gap?
Answer. My understanding is that NOAA is pushing forward with the
second round of the commercial weather data pilot program. If
confirmed, I look forward to overseeing this program. Radio Occultation
data has proven an important observing system and its data feeds into
our numerical weather models.
Question 16A. Further, if the commercial weather satellite data
pilot program continues to prove unsuccessful, how would you suggest
using the money allocated for that program in a more effective manner?
Answer. The Weather Act provides specific funding for the
commercial weather data pilot program for the next four years. As this
program continues, it will be important to monitor its progress and
make further decisions at the appropriate time.
Question 17. The CDARS program within NESDIS supports the space-
based components of both the Argos and the Search and Rescue Satellite
Aided Tracking Systems (SARSAT). However, the existing constellation of
satellites supporting the Argos and SARSAT systems is operating well
past its design life. It is necessary to fully fund the CDARS program
to deliver updated Argos and SARSAT instruments into space by 2021, but
the President requested only $500,000 for the program -a miniscule
amount compared to the $49 million needed to run the program. Without a
substantial increase in funding, we are in danger of major coverage
gaps for the Argos and the SARSAT systems. How do you plan to mitigate
these gaps in the face of a severely reduced budget?
Answer. My understanding is that the President's Budget Request for
Fiscal Year 2018 provides funding for the CDARs program. The CDARs
program provides an important mission for NOAA, and I look forward to
working with you to continue this program.
Question 18. Scientific literature states national marine
sanctuaries and other protected areas are essential to maintaining the
health of the oceans. This includes the health of fish populations that
American fisheries depend upon. Even though all of the United States'
marine sanctuaries, monuments, and other protected areas make up less
than 1 percent of the EEZ, these areas have been singled out by the
current administration to open them up to oil and gas development--an
activity that has repeatedly proven to be detrimental to the
environment. In addition, opening up marine sanctuaries to oil and gas
development is in direct contravention of the extensive public review
process where local stakeholders determine which activities are allowed
to occur in their sanctuaries. If confirmed, what will you do as NOAA
Administrator to maintain the size and integrity of the U.S.' existing
marine protected areas?
Answer. If confirmed, I will uphold the statutory responsibilities
of the agency. I understand that marine protected areas provide
significant ecological and economic benefits. I will support the
transparent, and inclusive processes to establish such areas through
the essential fish habitat protocols in the Magnuson-Stevens Act and
the National Marine Sanctuaries Act.
Question 19. Two new sites--Wisconsin-Lake Michigan and Mallow Bay-
Potomac River (MD)--are in the public process for being considered
sanctuaries. Both sites were nominated and supported by Republican
governors in partnership with their local communities with strong
letters of bipartisan support. Will you support the current community-
driven efforts to expand sanctuaries and designate new ones to conserve
critical natural, cultural, and historic resources for future
generations?
Answer. I understand that the pending sites are going through the
proper rulemaking procedures. If confirmed, I will support the National
Marine Sanctuaries Program and those local communities interested in
expanding it.
Question 20. NOAA has a role in the Department of Interior's
offshore oil and gas leasing decisions. How will you ensure that, in
the face of pressure from the administration to fulfill the directives
under Executive Order 13795, NOAA applies the highest scientific
standards and takes into account the most accurate and up-to-date
scientific information available on the impacts of seismic and oil and
gas activities on marine mammals, habitat, and fisheries in its
permitting decisions?
Answer. I have previously stated and continue to affirm my
intentions to adhere to NOAA's legal obligations with respect to its
important role in conducting environmental review of offshore energy
development. I also believe that more can be done to leverage the
extramural research community, particular in areas such as underwater
acoustic impacts on marine life. If confirmed, I look forward to making
progress in this area.
Question 21. In response to Question C.3 on your Committee
Questionnaire, you stated that ``AccuWeather has been involved in
routine civil and administrative actions, such as contracts disputes
and employee claims for unemployment compensation, workers
compensation, and other personnel matters.'' The response did not,
however, provide any detail on the substance of these actions. On
February 23, 2017, Bloomberg reported that the Department of Labor
brought an administrative action against AccuWeather (OFCCP v.
AccuWeather, Inc., Dep't of Labor A.L.J. No. 2017-OFC-11) alleging that
AccuWeather, in its capacity as a government contractor, denied access
to Department of Labor inspectors seeking data on a sexual orientation
bias complaint. Please provide a copy of the complaint, any responses
filed by AccuWeather, and a detailed summary of the current status or
disposition of this case.
Answer. This is a matter working through a legal process. As such,
I am not in a position to comment on or provide disclosures from the
company. I can state that the government was not denied access, rather
there was a jurisdictional dispute that had to first be resolved. Once
that was resolved they were given full cooperation. I can also state
that AccuWeather has denied any liability in this case. The case is not
yet resolved. AccuWeather is proud of its LBGTQ policies and related
positive actions and support which go back many decades.
Question 22. How have you handled any allegations of workplace
harassment as CEO of AccuWeather? NOAA has recently ordered the Ship
Reuben Lasker to return to port immediately to initiate an
investigation into allegations of inappropriate harassing behavior
aboard the ship. If confirmed, how would you handle an investigation of
this nature as the Administrator of NOAA?
Answer. Such complaints are handled by the company's Human
Resources Department and General Counsel's office. In my past role as
General Counsel I did handle such complaints. Such situations are
inappropriate and have no place in the workplace. Clear policies and
swift action are needed. I will fully implement Subtitle C-Sexual
Harassment and Assault Prevention at the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration S. 2943.
Question 23. The Southeast Fishery Science Center in Florida has
experienced recurring coastal flooding problems in recent years. This
flooding is only likely to get worse over time, as a result of
increasing sea level rise. Most recently, the Center incurred $1.3
million in damage as a result of Hurricane Irma and will require
significant repairs to become fully operational once more. Given the
important role it plays in the sustainable management of fisheries off
Florida's coasts, what, in your view, is the long-term solution to the
coastal flooding problems Florida's Southeast Fishery Science Center
faces?
Answer. I share your concern about damage to NOAA's facilities as a
result of sea level rise and also this year's hurricanes, and improving
the resilience of NOAA's coastal infrastructure. I am not familiar with
the specific circumstances of the Southeast Fishery Science Center but,
if confirmed, I will be interested in working with you on solutions.
Question 24. Despite having the second longest coastline in the
U.S., no NOAA research vessels are homeported in Florida. This absence
severely limits NOAA's research and operational capabilities. Recently,
the Senate Commerce Committee voted to pass S. 1129, which requires
that NOAA complete a strategic plan for the construction or acquisition
of the facilities needed to allow for an oceanographic research vessel
to be homeported in St. Petersburg, Florida. In light of this, if
confirmed, would you direct NOAA to homeport a new, existing, or
reactivated research vessel in St. Petersburg, Florida?
Answer. I am aware of the Final Report of the NOAA Independent
Review Team on NOAA Fleet Recapitalization (October 1, 2016) and
personally met with the co-chair, Dick West, RADM, United States Navy
(ret). I understand there is a large amount of oceanographic expertise
in Florida, including the University of South Florida in St.
Petersburg. Consequently, I will consider homeporting a research vessel
there, should that be a consideration in the strategic plan.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Maria Cantwell to
Barry Lee Myers
Oil Spills
Question 1. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) has a leading role under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. What do
you envision NOAA's role is before, during, and after an oil spill
occurs?
Answer. NOAA's programs have important responsibilities with
respect to oil spill response. Prior to a spill, NOAA conducts
environmental review under several different authorities including the
Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and Magnuson-
Stevens Act (for essential fish habitat). During a spill, NOAA assists
with projecting the trajectory of the spill, declaring fishery
disasters, and advising on impacts of various response strategies with
respect to trust natural resources. After the spill, NOAA assists with
the Natural Disaster Response Assessment. If confirmed, I will maintain
these and other required roles with respect to the Oil Pollution Act
and related statutes.
Question 2. Commerce Secretary Ross is still a shareholder in
Diamond S. Shipping Group, as well as other shipping companies. Diamond
S. Shipping operates 33 medium range tankers that move petroleum and
other products between international ports. In Secretary Ross' current
position he plays a role in a number of key oil spill response
activities including damage liability determinations. Do you think
Secretary Ross has a conflict of interest due to his ownership of
Diamond Shipping and the authorities granted to him under the Oil
Pollution Act of 1990? Do you think Secretary Ross should recuse
himself from all oil spill related Commerce business? What will you do
to ensure NOAA's oil spill activities are kept separate from the
Secretary's office?
Answer. I am not aware of the specific circumstances of the Diamond
S. Shipping Group. It is always important to avoid conflicts of
interest.
Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund and Bristol Bay, Alaska
Question 3. Healthy salmon populations are critical to our economy
and culture in Washington State, and throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Today, there are 28 salmon stocks listed under the Endangered Species
Act in Washington, Oregon, California and Idaho. A critical program in
supporting the Pacific salmon fishery is the Pacific Coast Salmon
Recovery Fund. The Trump Administration's proposed budget would have
completely eliminated the fund. Do you support eliminating funding for
the Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Fund? Why or why not? If you support
elimination of this funding what is your specific plan to ensure NOAA's
continued support of protecting, restoring, and conserving Pacific
salmon and steelhead? Do you generally support funding for salmon
management and restoration? How will you ensure that NOAA meets its
obligation to treaty tribes with salmon fishing rights if funding is
cut?
Answer. I do support funding for salmon management and restoration.
I appreciate the economic and cultural benefits that salmon provides
and while a good program, the PCSRF was indeed targeted for elimination
in the FY2018 budget request and was targeted for elimination in a
previous budget under President Obama before subsequent amendment. As
Secretary Ross testified, the current budget environment requires a
line to be drawn somewhere, and unfortunately several quality programs
including PCSRF fell below the line. If confirmed, I look forward to
learning more about the program and other opportunities to protect,
restore and support salmon habitat in the development of future budget
requests.
Question 4. A 2014 assessment by the EPA found that the proposed
mine poses a direct threat to the $1.5 billion Bristol Bay sockeye
fishery and the over 20,000 American jobs that it supports. Do you
support the Pebble Mine? How would the proposed Pebble Mine impact the
fisheries that NOAA manages?
Answer. I understand that Bristol Bay may be the world's most
productive fishery, with over 40 million sockeye salmon returning to
Bristol Bay's rivers every year. I support a transparent inclusive
environmental review based on the best available information. The
threats to essential fish habitat should be considered and I will
support NOAA's role in that process.
Question 5. The Trump Administration's budget also proposes
slashing funding for fisheries, science, and management by $24.5
million. This funding provides support for reef fish stock assessments,
cooperative research for fisheries data collection, the National Catch
Share Program, and interjurisdictional fisheries grants. During your
nomination hearing and in your pre-hearing answers, you said you
support President Trump's FY 2018 NOAA Budget proposal. How will NOAA
be able to make science-based fishery management decisions without
adequate funding for stock assessments? Why do you support these cuts?
If you support these cuts what is your specific plan to ensure NOAA's
ability to conduct stock assessments will not be compromised?
Answer. Stock assessments are the lifeblood of our fishery
management system and have been supported by industry, environmental
groups and both sides of the aisle in Congress. Given an overall
allocation that reduces NOAA by 16 percent, I view the comparatively
low 4-5 percent reduction as an indication that the Administration
supports fishery science and management. If confirmed, stock
assessments will continue to be a top priority and it will need to be
managed within the budget challenges.
Fisheries
Question 6. Do you support our Nation's conservation laws,
including the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act,
Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Coastal Zone
Management Act, and the National Marine Sanctuaries Act?
Answer. Yes.
Question 7. Do you commit to carry out NOAA's statutory
responsibilities implementing all of those laws?
Answer. Yes.
Question 8. Do you believe that conservation under those laws are
part of NOAA's core mission and core responsibilities and is worthy of
fully funding?
Answer. Conservation is a core mission of NOAA, and one that is
shared with states and localities. If confirmed, I would continue to
support NOAA's conservation programs within the appropriated funding
levels.
Question 9. If others in the administration ever proposed actions
that violated any of these laws (like overfishing in violation of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act), how would you react? What specific steps would
you take to meet NOAA mandates under the Magnuson-Stevens Act?
Answer. If confirmed I would uphold the spirit and intent of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act and I would advise others of the responsibilities
as NOAA sees them.
Question 10. Do you agree that overfishing should never be allowed?
Answer. Ending overfishing is one of the main goals of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act and I support that law.
Question 11. Do you agree that depleted fisheries should be
rebuilt?
Answer. The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires that fisheries be rebuilt
and I support that law.
Question 12. Do you agree that fisheries management decisions
should be based on the best available science?
Answer. Yes, as per national standard 2.
Question 13. Will you commit to opposing ANY actions that would
undermine these core conservation principles of the Act?
Answer. If confirmed I would uphold the spirit and intent of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act.
Fisheries Enforcement
Question 14. Over the past decade the number of Mexican lanchas
illegally fishing for U.S. target species, such as red snapper, has
exponentially increased. Illegal fishing along the U.S. Mexico border
costs the United States over $11 million in revenue each year. In 2013
and 2014 combined, 1,525,715 lbs of red snapper was poached from U.S.
waters by Mexican lanchas. The Coast Guard has the responsibility to
board and interdict these vessels. However, once interdicted any
determinations to document the case or pursue civil penalties against
the mariners solely resides with NOAA. Historically, NOAA has chosen
not document or pursue civil penalties against these mariners.
Additionally, the Department of Justice will only pursue criminal
penalties against these mariners if there is a documented history of
illegal fishing. Why isn't NOAA documenting or pursuing civil penalties
against mariners who are illegally fishing targeted species in U.S.
waters? Current actions are clearly not effectively deterring illegal
fishing in our waters. What is your plan to fix this?
Answer. I share your concern about this poaching and how it is
impacting our ability to sustainably manage our fisheries. These
illegal landings hurt not only our commercial fishermen, who then have
to compete with cheaper fish on the marketplace, but also our
recreational fishermen whose seasons are limited as we attempt to
rebuild the stocks that have been illegally depleted.
I am not aware of why NOAA has not pursued documenting and pursuing
penalties. I will keep you informed as I investigate opportunities,
including enforcement, port restrictions and trade sanctions, to
curtail these incursions on our commerce. I look forward to working
with Congress to level the playing field for our domestic commercial
sector while also improve access for our recreational fishermen.
Question 15. In the 2018 NOAA Blue Book, NOAA requested a one
million dollar reduction in funding for fisheries enforcement. NOAA is
already struggling to take appropriate actions to deter illegal
fishing. How will you be able to reduce illegal fishing without
adequate funding to support this mission?
Answer. I share your concern regarding fisheries enforcement. I am
not aware of the basis for the reduction. If confirmed, I will look for
opportunities to leverage partnerships with other agencies and develop
and deploy new technologies that could reduce the cost of enforcement.
The National Weather Service
Question 16. This year the United States is enduring one of its
most costly years for extreme weather--a near-record 16 billion-dollar
weather disasters have ravaged the Nation. Compounding these effects
are the obstacles the National Weather Service has faced trying to fill
a growing number of vacant forecaster positions. There are currently
nearly 700 unfilled positions at the National Weather Service and a
report from the Government Accountability Office showed staff vacancies
increased 57 percent from 2014 to 2016. In addition, the Trump
Administration proposed a 6 percent cut in funding to the National
Weather Service and prevented 216 jobs from being filled prior to the
2017 hurricane season due to a government wide hiring freeze. What is
your plan to restore staffing to adequate levels? Do you support these
proposed budget cuts or types of hiring freezes? How will you be able
to restore staffing with these obstacles?
Answer. I understand there are vacancies throughout the agency, but
NWS appears to be the most challenged in this regard. If confirmed, I
will take into account the recent National Weather Service Operations
Workforce Analysis (OWA) performed by McKinsey & Co. and identify the
cause of these delays, and the most efficient process to mitigate them
in the future. Additionally, if confirmed, I will ensure we recruit,
hire, train, and retain a robust and highly skilled workforce that can
most effectively accomplish the NOAA mission and within the budget
limits as appropriated by Congress.
Question 17. Reliable, accurate, and publically available weather
modeling and forecasts are critical in saving lives and protecting our
country's infrastructure. I am concerned that we continue to rely on
the European model during extreme forecasts. Even the nightly news
compares the ``U.S. model'' to the European one. In your role at NOAA
what is your plan to bring U.S. weather prediction and forecasting up
to the level it needs to be to protect Americans?
Answer. NOAA's weather models have been bested in many
circumstances by other models in the world, most notably the European
weather model. To improve NOAA's numerical weather prediction
capabilities, we must ensure that we are focusing the appropriate
resources toward making substantial improvements. I believe the Weather
Research and Forecasting Innovation Act provides a framework for the
United States to substantially enhance our focus on improving weather
models and forecasts, including research-to-operations, outreach to
harness the innovations occurring at universities and within private
industry. I am committed to making America's work in this area, second
to none.
Question 18. There is a significant gap in Doppler radar coverage
in Central Washington state. This gap presents a number of challenges,
including restricting first responders ability to accurately forecast
and respond to wildfires in the region. What can NOAA do to help close
this gap in Doppler coverage in Central Washington?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work with the Committee to explore the
ways we can address these gaps in coverage. Gaps in radar coverage are
well known and are problematic, not just from the aspect of beam
overshoot, which can miss low-level phenomena like tornadic
circulation, snow and sleet (all of which can be missed within the
radar beam radial sweep), but also from general topographic blocking in
mountainous terrain. Additional radars, managed by local TV stations
and airports, do exist. Whether or not they are able to fill the gaps
or are able to provide data to the quality and reliability that is
needed would be something that should be explored. There may also be a
need in industry to have radar data for purposes beyond protection of
life and property of the general public. Public-private partnerships
and possibly shared-cost models might be an option. Additionally, there
may be non-radar related sampling and observing methods to mitigate
some of these issues. If confirmed, I would employ an approach to
assess all reasonable and appropriate options to eliminate the gaps
that leave taxpayers exposed to severe weather threats.
Question 19. Do you view the National Weather Service
supercomputing capacity as sufficient for both NWS and OAR activities?
Why or why not? How does this capacity compare to our international
counterparts?
Answer. The NOAA HPC resources are less than both UKMO and ECMWF.
Additionally, whereas ECMWF and UKMO only focus on their global
modelling system, NWS runs a broad suite of models from space weather
to global to tropical and regional models.
Question 20. Do you support climate modeling and forecasting? Do
you support budget cuts to climate programs in NOAA, and throughout the
Administration?
Answer. I support research in climate change causation and
prediction. In difficult budgetary situations, we must look to ensure
funding for many programs under NOAA's portfolio. While some programs
have received reduced growth or reductions compared to recent years, it
is my intent to continue the research of all NOAA portfolio areas,
including climate programs.
Conflicts of Interest
Question 21. You stated that you, ``Will not participate personally
and substantially in any particular matter that to your knowledge has a
direct and predictable effect on your spouse's compensation or
employment with AccuWeather.'' How can you effectively perform the job
of Under Secretary while also having to remove yourself whenever the
issue at hand could potentially impact the financial holdings of your
family?
Answer. My spouse will be resigning from the company simultaneously
with me and therefore such conflict will be eliminated. I will follow
the advice and guidance of the ethics officials from the Department of
Commerce/NOAA to ensure that I comply with all ethics laws and
regulations.
Question 22. Once a political appointee is confirmed, the recusal
processes relies heavily on self-accountability. How will you ensure
transparency with the public and Congress when potential conflicts of
interest arise? Will do you document your recusals or conflicts of
interest that arise and make them available immediately to Congress?
Answer. I will rely upon the guidance from the Office of Government
Ethics or other agencies with jurisdiction for their guidance. I will
follow the advice and guidance of the ethics officials from the
Department of Commerce/NOAA to ensure that I comply with all ethics
laws and regulations.
Question 23. The fact that your brother can still stay in senior
management at a private weather company, while you hold a top position
that oversees the public National Weather Service, and those two
positions are perfectly compatible, is troubling to say the least. How
and what is your specific plan to divest from issues within NOAA that
might bring about financial gain to your wife, not to mention issues
that would benefit your brother? Can you explain to me how you can
serve the American people competently while also having to maintain
impartiality?
Answer. As mentioned above, my wife will be leaving the company
when I do. No one person can dissolve all personal relationships when
they move from the private sector to the public sector--friends and
relatives. Many successful people in business have deep relationships
across a variety of businesses and industries. That does not mean they
cannot serve. There are Federal statute and guidelines as to conflicts
and recusals. Quality people of character should be expected to comport
with dignity and appropriate decorum. I will follow the advice and
guidance of the ethics officials from the Department of Commerce/NOAA
to ensure that I comply with all ethics laws and regulations.
Question 24. Do you have any intention of returning to AccuWeather
after serving as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and
Atmosphere?
Answer. No.
Budget
Question 25. This year NOAA awarded $1.4 million in Coastal
Resilience Grant funding to the Washington Department of Fish and
Wildlife. In your answers to my pre-hearing questions you responded
that you supported the Trump Administration's 16 percent cut to the
NOAA budget. The proposed cuts include complete elimination of the
Coastal Resilience Grant Fund. Why do you support termination of the
Coastal Resilience Grant Program, a program that directly supports
efforts to protect life and property from coastal hazards? What is your
plan to ensure NOAA will continue to support states' participation in
the National Coastal Zone Management program? How will you be able to
enact your plan without adequate funding?
Answer. If confirmed as Administrator, it would be my role to
understand the valuable programs that NOAA employs and set priorities
for those that are central to NOAA's core mission. One factor to
consider when formulating a budget is the ability to offset cuts
through partnerships with state and local governments or external
groups. If confirmed, I would be an advocate for working with the
Administration and Congress to support adequate funding to meet NOAA's
mission needs.
Question 26. The President's Budget would also result in complete
elimination of the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance
Grants program. I introduced a bill last Congress that reauthorizes the
grant program. My bill had bipartisan support. This is the only Federal
funding source for the stranding network. NOAA's FY18 Blue Book states
``Eliminating funding for this program will also decrease data and
resources from the stranding network, which helps NOAA establish links
between marine mammal health and the condition of coastal ecosystems.''
Why do you support the termination of a grant program, like the
Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Grant program, that is noncontroversial
and has bipartisan congressional support? How will NOAA be able to
carry out its mission ``to conserve and manage coastal and marine
ecosystems and resources'' without this critical funding?
Answer. Given the budget allocation, certain valuable programs,
including the Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grants, fell
below the line of programs that the agency could afford. I look forward
to learning more about these priorities to help inform future budget
requests.
Question 27. In your role as Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans
and Atmosphere you will be charged to make decisions and act in the
best interest of the public and NOAA. Your unwavering support for the
Trump Administration's unprecedented 16 percent cut to NOAA in the
Fiscal Year 2018 budget does not indicate to me that you are in support
of what is best for NOAA. Under the President's proposed budget there
are offices within NOAA which would be subjected to over a 30 percent
cut. What will you do in you role as the Under Secretary to prevent
NOAA from being whittled away and advocate for funding? How will you
convey to the Administration that adequately funding NOAA is a
paramount priority and in the best interest of the public?
Answer. If confirmed as Administrator, it would be my role to
understand the valuable programs that NOAA employs and set priorities
for those that are central to NOAA's core mission. One factor to
consider when formulating a budget is the ability to offset cuts
through partnerships with state and local governments or external
groups. If confirmed, I would be an advocate for working with the
Administration and Congress to support adequate funding to meet NOAA's
mission needs.
Ocean Acidification
Question 28. In Washington state, shellfish populations plummeted
about a decade ago, putting thousands of family wage jobs at risk.
Luckily, NOAA, UW and OSU scientists determined that ocean
acidification was impacting juvenile oysters, and developed solutions
to mitigate that impact, saving an industry in my state. Without NOAA's
scientists, it's entirely possible that Washington's shellfish industry
and thousands of jobs would have been wiped out before we even knew
what was happening. Do you agree that ocean acidification is happening,
and that it's a real problem? Do you support ocean acidification
research and Federal support for ocean acidification monitoring in the
IOOS network, including NANOOS?
Answer. Ocean acidification is being measured and is a problem,
particularly at higher latitudes where it has impacted the shellfish
industry. I support ocean acidification research and leveraging the
IOOS regions and assets to advance monitoring and forecasting.
Question 29. Do you agree that ocean acidification poses an active
economic threat to coastal communities across the U.S.?
Answer. Yes, there have been recorded impacts of acidification on
the shellfish industry.
Question 30. Do you support the work of the NOAA Ocean
Acidification Program as authorized under the Federal Ocean
Acidification Research and Monitoring (FOARAM) Act?
Answer. Yes.
Revitalizing the Economy of Fisheries in the Pacific Act
Question 31. The fishing industry is crucial to Washington state's
coastal economy. Last Congress, I spearheaded the Revitalizing the
Economy of Fisheries in the Pacific Act (Pacific REFI Act) which was
intended to put fishing businesses on a level playing field with other
businesses receiving Federal loans. However, NOAA has not implemented
the Act's provisions. Why hasn't NOAA implemented this Act? Do you
think fishermen should receive the same interest rates on Federal loans
as other businesses? Should there be barriers for them to refinance
these loans to current rates? What will you do to afford groundfish
fishermen the flexibility they need to grow their businesses and help
spur economic activity in communities all along our coast? Will you
supply the technical support required to fully implement the REFI
Pacific Act? If so, when?
Answer. I have been informed of the general aspects regarding the
Pacific REFI Act and failure to implement it. My understanding is that
NOAA issued a proposed rule on August 6, 2015 to refinance the loan;
however, it required an appropriation to implement. I share your belief
that fishermen should be able to have comparable access to financial
markets. I am not aware of the reasons why the technical support you
referenced has not been provided but, if confirmed, I will place a high
priority addressing the matter.
Mukilteo Fisheries Research Station
Question 32. The current Mukilteo Fisheries Research Station in
Washington has been at the forefront of marine research in the Pacific
Northwest for decades. In its current state the facility is nearly
unusable with rusted walls, rotting ceilings, and a sinking foundation,
and is in need of major repair. The facility has been condemned, yet is
still used by a handful of scientists who need access to laboratory
facilities. Do you agree that NOAA has an obligation to maintain this
and other similar facilities? Can you promise me that you'll advocate
for much needed funding for this NOAA research facility?
Answer. I share your concern that NOAA's scientists should have the
tools needed to successfully execute its mission, including habitable
research facilities. If confirmed, I commit to working with you to find
solutions to this and other matters pertaining to backlogged
maintenance and repairs of NOAA facilities.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Amy Klobuchar to
Barry Lee Myers
Question 1. Marine Sanctuaries are a useful way to help preserve
our natural resources and boost tourism. The 13 national marine
sanctuaries encompass more than 600,000 square miles, including large
areas on the Great Lakes. When exploring new potential sanctuary sites,
it is important that towns and businesses near the proposed sanctuary
get to provide feedback, especially when commerce or marine navigation
could be affected. Mr. Myers, what steps would you take to ensure local
viewpoints are considered in the Marine Sanctuary designation process?
Answer. I agree that the National Marine Sanctuaries Program is a
useful way to help preserve our natural resources and boost tourism.
One of the reasons is the active role afforded to local communities
with respect to their management. If confirmed, I would continue to
support the program and role that State and local communities have with
respect to the designation process to ensure their voices are heard.
Question 2. The Port of Duluth is the largest port on the Great
Lakes, hosting approximately 1,000 vessels and handling an average of
35 million short tons of cargo per year. The port's continued success
depends on the safe navigation of vessels. The National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) operates the Physical Oceanographic
Real-Time System (PORTS) service that provides real-time weather
updates to mariners and promotes safe and efficient navigation within
U.S. waters. Mr. Myers, will you commit to support NOAA's PORTS
service?
Answer. Yes, if confirmed, I will continue to support the PORTS
program. I understand the data provided by this program increases the
safety and efficiency of the participating ports.
Question 3. What role do you believe NOAA plays in promoting
maritime safety and efficiency?
Answer. There are several programs within NOAA that have an
important role in supporting maritime safety and efficiency. In
addition to PORTS, NOAA is responsible for maintaining accurate
hydrographic maps. Naturally, the maritime forecasts provided by the
National Weather Service are of great importance to the mariners. If
confirmed, I will continue to support these and other important roles.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Richard Blumenthal to
Barry Lee Myers
Ethics
Question 1. Have you signed an ethics agreement in relation to the
position for which you have been nominated?
Answer. Yes.
Question 2. Who is charged with enforcing your ethics agreement?
Answer. This is a legal question under Federal law which I am not
qualified to answer. I will follow the advice and guidance of the
ethics officials from the Department of Commerce/NOAA to ensure I
comply with my ethics agreement.
Question 3. What are the ramifications for failure to comply with
the divesture deadlines in your ethics agreement?
Answer. This is a legal question under Federal law which I am not
qualified to answer. I will follow the advice and guidance of the
ethics officials from the Department of Commerce/NOAA to ensure I
comply with my ethics agreement.
Question 4. Do you have any family members that work at
AccuWeather? If so, please list any spouse, sibling, child and step-
child who is employed by AccuWeather, Inc. or affiliated entities.
Answer. My wife Holly Myers, and my brothers Joel N. Myers and Evan
A. Myers.
Question 5. In your prepared testimony to the Committee, you state,
``I have agreed with the Office of Government Ethics that my wife and I
will resign from every company, board and organization that could be in
conflict with my new role.'' Where is your wife's agreement
memorialized?
Answer. I do not know that there is specific memorialization in a
document, but I have pledged that this will occur.
Question 6. In your ethics agreement, you state, ``I will not
participate personally and substantially in any particular matter that
to my knowledge has a direct and predictable effect on my spouse's
compensation or employment with AccuWeather, Inc.'' Can you affirm that
your wife will resign from AccuWeather, Inc. immediately upon your
confirmation, if confirmed?
Answer. Yes. My wife will resign from AccuWeather coincident with
my date of resignation. I will follow the advice and guidance of the
ethics officials from the Department of Commerce/NOAA to ensure I
comply with my ethics agreement.
Question 7. Please list the company, board, and organization
positions where your wife holds a position that she will resign, per
your written testimony.
Answer. My wife holds the position of ``Manager of Executive
Projects'' for AccuWeather, Inc.
Question 8. Are there any laws related to conflicts of interest
that prevent you from working on interests that benefit your brother?
If so, please list them.
Answer. This is a legal question under Federal law which I am not
qualified to answer. I will follow the advice and guidance of the
ethics officials from the Department of Commerce/NOAA to ensure I
comply with my ethics agreement.
Question 9. Are the interests of your brothers imputed to you under
Federal ethics laws?
Answer. Not to my knowledge. The relationship has been disclosed to
the Office of Government Ethics and there has been no indication of any
such issue. I will follow the advice and guidance of the ethics
officials from the Department of Commerce/NOAA to ensure I comply with
my ethics agreement.
Question 10. Should the interests of your brothers be imputed to
you?
Answer. Not to my knowledge. I will follow the advice and guidance
of the ethics officials from the Department of Commerce/NOAA to ensure
I comply with my ethics agreement.
Question 11. Will you seek any ethics waivers during your tenure?
If so, please list any waivers you will seek.
Answer. None of which I am currently aware. I will follow the
advice and guidance of the ethics officials from Department of
Commerce/NOAA and if a waiver is necessary, I will make the waiver
publically available.
Question 12. Are you subject to any exemptions from ethics laws
that allow you to work on matters that affect AccuWeather? If so,
please list any exemptions.
Answer. None of which I am currently aware.
Privatization of NOAA services
Question 13. Are you familiar with the Weather Service Duties Act,
S. 786, as introduced in the 109th Congress?
Answer. Yes.
Question 14. Did you support this legislation, as introduced?
Answer. I supported this in principle (see explanation of the
issues below).
Question 15. Did you engage in any lobbying efforts for this
legislation?
Answer. I do not recall if the company engaged a lobbyist at that
time or not.
Question 16. Did you take any steps to advocate for this
legislation? If so, please specify what actions you took.
Answer. I was interviewed by the press and others as to the
background of the issues related to the legislations (see explanation
as to the issues below)
Question 17. Would the Weather Service Duties Act have incurred a
financial benefit on AccuWeather, Inc.?
Answer. It would have maintained the status quo as existed in the
1991 NWS policy.
Question 18. Has your view on this legislation changed since its
introduction? If so, please explain how your view has changed.
Answer. The situation more than half a generation ago was much
different than today. By way of brief background, it was in fact the
NOAA policy from 1991, published in the Federal Register, that itself
stated ``NWS will not compete with the private sector when a service is
currently provided or can be provided by commercial enterprises, unless
otherwise director by applicable law.'' It was this policy that NOAA
revoked in 2003. The National Research Council in its Fair Weather
Report in 2003 states that House and Senate reports regularly
admonished the NWS to avoid competing with the private sector. In
January 2004 both houses of Congress were concerned about this issue to
the extent that they placed the following language in the joint
appropriation report, ``The conferees urge NOAA and NWS to take maximum
advantage of capabilities and services that already exist in the
commercial sector to eliminate duplication and maximize the
accomplishment of the core mission of the NWS.'' It was following those
concerns that S 786 was introduced to place the 1991 NOAA Policy, then
recently revoked, back into law. It did not move forward, but the
government and weather industry have now spent a decade working well
together, in large part through my leadership, to have the best weather
information sources to the public of any county on Earth. I have always
supported the free and open access of all government weather data to
the public--both private citizens and businesses alike--through uniform
release mechanisms to everyone at the same time so that no one person
or business had any advantage. I continue strongly to support that
position.
Consumer protection
Question 19. Are you familiar with the website
nationalweatherservice.org?
Answer. Yes.
Question 20. What would one find at that website?
Answer. The link should go to Network Solutions, the domain name
provider.
Question 21. Does AccuWeather own the rights to
nationalweatherservice.org?
Answer. Yes. (see explanation below).
Question 22. Can you explain the rationale for a website named
nationalweatherservice.org directing consumers to a for-profit
enterprise controlled by your family, instead of to the National
Weather Service, which is a government service that provides
information relatively free?
Answer. AccuWeather has never posed as a government entity, in fact
it has the strongest weather brand in the world. Its website is also
free to the public. At the outset of the Internet in the 1990s all
companies, usually through their technical service and computer
departments, and many government agencies, scrambled to create and
secure domain names that they thought would be important. It was
somewhat the ``wild west'' and many people went to significant lengths
to secure variations of words and names. Additionally, there were at
the start of the Internet only four domains .com, .net, .gov, and .edu.
Back then the .gov designation was for government sites, and the other
domains were for others to use. Additionally, many URLs and brand or
trademarks did not align. Now, in 2017, there are an unlimited number
of domains. As a result, there are now dozens of
``nationalweatherservice'' domains currently in use or available for
sale on the internet, such as ``nationalweatherservice.network.'' These
are totally unrelated to AccuWeather or the National Weather Service,
and the number will only be expected to grow. I was not CEO in the
1990s and at that time and did not always know about the many URL
domains we had. However, on January 3, 2003, upon the request of the
NWS, I was informed of this and required the servers at AccuWeather be
changed so that ``nationalweatherservice.org'' would no longer point to
an AccuWeather site, and it was ``mothballed,'' in cooperation with NWS
and as NWS has requested. In 2005 I was advised by the NWS that the URL
was functional again and ordered it terminated again. Until your
question, it was assumed that continued to be the case. However, upon
inquiry this week, it was discovered that on or about June 20, 2016 the
company made server upgrades which updated all of our Domain Name
Servers. This inadvertently reactivated the mothballed domain. It has
again been ordered to be inactivated. Such non-prompted domains usually
generate little or no traffic. Although these actions under the
Internet domain registration protocols were permissible, AccuWeather
was responsive and cooperative with NWS when the issue was raised. In
fact AccuWeather has always worked well with the NWS as to intellectual
property concerns. For example, two years ago the company licensed two
important tornado warning observer reporting patents to NWS free of
change for the good of the public. It seems that actions were not taken
to protect the NWS brand or URL, as a company would have done, in the
earlier days of the internet. This is an area I plan to have reviewed
at NOAA, if confirmed.
Question 23. Do you believe this is a fair and honest practice by
the owner of nationalweatherservice.org to maintain a site that sends
consumers to a business site?
Answer. See above.
Mobile app tracking
Question 24. In August, several organizations, including the
Washington Post, detailed how consumers with an AccuWeather app were
still being tracked on mobile devices even if they chose the ``opt
out'' option to ensure their privacy. Did an AccuWeather app track
consumers without their consent?
Answer. This issue is currently under legal review to ensure
compliance is at the appropriate levels and therefore I am not able to
comment on the details of the matter. I can tell you that AccuWeather
privacy disclosure policies I believe addressed and disclosed these
issues and has since been strengthened to disclose even more about how
mobile devices work. There have been some recent news stories that
suggest many people do not realize that mobile devices themselves,
unrelated to the software or apps, receive and transmit information
even when people use the device ``opt out'' features. When the issue
came to our attention we promptly disabled all known features and third
party code we were able to tie to these issues.
Question 25. Did AccuWeather or any AccuWeather vendor profit from
the sale of location tracking information?
Answer. Please see answer above.
Question 26. What do you say to Americans concerned about your
ability to run a significant agency when your company and one of its
partners mishandled consumer privacy?
Answer. Please see answer above. In addition, AccuWeather does not
believe it has mishandled consumer privacy. I would add that NOAA may
or may not know how these technical issues operate on mobile device and
mobile websites and the agency may possibly have the same issues as
private companies face. I will bring a cutting edge understanding of
these issues and insure that NOAA is considering all such concerns as
well.
Experience
Question 27. You certainly are knowledgeable of weather. And NOAA
has a big role to play in that area. But NOAA--the agency you have been
nominated to lead--does much more than weather. NOAA handles many other
areas that are critical to Connecticut. You note in your testimony that
NOAA's budget is 60 percent ``weather components.'' Please list the
``components'' to which you refer that support your statement, as some
argue that the non-weather-related functions, which fall outside of
your weather-related experience, are a much more significant part of
NOAA's activities than what you contend.
Answer. The budgets for NWS and NESDIS together make up roughly 60
percent of NOAA's overall budget. NOAA budget allocation is a function
of the cost of the programs, and does not necessarily reflect the
relative importance and criticality of the non-weather-related
functions to the taxpayers and U.S. economy.
Question 28. NOAA has many responsibilities outside of weather-
related duties. Aside from your general familiarity with weather, what
experience do you have in oceans policy?
Answer. No one comes to this agency will full knowledge in all of
its diverse areas, just as no CEO of a business comes to a business
with full knowledge of all the diverse areas of a major company. If
confirmed, I plan to ensure we have the executive and scientific
leadership in all areas of the agency who bring the expertise to the
decision making process needed in every area.
Question 29. What experience do you have in fisheries policy?
Answer. No one comes to this agency will full knowledge in all of
its diverse areas, just as no CEO of a business comes to a business
with full knowledge of all the diverse areas of a major company. If
confirmed, I plan to ensure we have the executive and scientific
leadership in all areas of the agency who bring the expertise to the
decision making process needed in every area.
Question 30. What experience do you have in coastal protection
issues?
Answer. No one comes to this agency will full knowledge in all of
its diverse areas, just as no CEO of a business comes to a business
with full knowledge of all the diverse areas of a major company. If
confirmed, I plan to ensure we have the executive and scientific
leadership in all areas of the agency who bring the expertise to the
decision making process needed in every area.
NOAA budget
Question 31. NOAA has an annual budget of about $5.5 billion. In
May, the president released his proposal for next year's budget. That
proposal cuts the resources of NOAA by nearly 16 percent--or $1
billion. The funding will slash investments in weather modeling,
forecasting, tsunami warnings, tornado detection, aquaculture and
research. What steps have you taken to study the president's proposed
budget for Fiscal Year 2018?
Answer. I have read the NOAA Blue Book and have been briefed by the
line offices at NOAA.
Question 32. Are there any cuts in the president's proposed budget
for Fiscal Year 2018 that you oppose?
Answer. I support the President's budget and share Secretary Ross's
belief that good programs were cut, as cuts needed to fall somewhere in
light of the emphasis on areas such as national security. Should I be
confirmed, I look forward to learning more about congressional
priorities to help in the development of future budget requests.
Question 33. Do you agree with the president's decision to cut
funding for SeaGrant?
Answer. I understand that SeaGrant is a valuable program that
unfortunately fell below the line where tough decisions had to be made
to fit within the budget allocation. See answer above.
Question 34. Is it responsible to cut NOAA's budget in Fiscal Year
2018?
Answer. It is responsible for the President to put forward a budget
that includes spending reductions given the difficult fiscal
environment our Nation faces.
Business relationship with China
Question 35. In 2014--by all reputable accounts--hackers, possibly
in coordination with the Chinese government, broke into NOAA's network.
It's clear they were there maliciously, they disrupted NOAA satellites
for days, and they compromised key data used for weather forecasts,
disaster planning, emergency management, aviation and shipping, and
sought other kinds of ``environmental intelligence.'' What the Chinese
were able to access was probably priceless--and their intrusion was
very harmful to the United States. The following year, in 2015, your
company, AccuWeather, announced a 20-year ``groundbreaking joint
venture'' with the Chinese government, making AccuWeather the sole
distributor of certain weather products in the country--as I understand
this surpasses anything any other competitor, like the Weather Channel,
has an agreement to do. Are you concerned about the 2014 incident and
the extent to which some in China would go to hack NOAA?
Answer. I am concerned with any hack of any government or private
sector systems or servers. Such intrusions are dangerous and criminal.
I have not been briefed on the 2014 incident, what data was hacked, or
why. If confirmed, I will want to know what actions have been taken to
ensure our critical NOAA servers and systems, and the related data, are
secure.
Question 36. What questions did you ask of your Chinese
counterparts in your negotiations leading up to the 2015 deal?
Answer. I did not personally ask specific questions about this
incident as I did not have any detailed information about the incident.
Our company did discuss computer security issues. We also sought and
received assistance from our government including former and present
Secretaries of Commerce, a former NOAA Administrator, and the U.S.
Minister for Commercial Affairs of the U.S. Department of Commerce at
the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, among others, who were well aware of the
nature of the possible business relationship involved. Also please
note, that the Chinese Meteorological Administration works
cooperatively with our government and uses computer systems from
American companies.
Question 37. Are you confident your business counterparts had
nothing to do with the 2014 hacking?
Answer. See answer above.
Question 38. How would you characterize your relationship with
China today?
Answer. AccuWeather has a Joint Venture there and the reports I
have received indicate it is a good relationship.
Question 39. Should Americans be concerned that your family's
company has a close relationship with China, which could very well have
been involved in efforts to hack an agency that you have been nominated
to lead?
Answer. No. See answers above.
Question 40. Are you committed to preventing any similar hacking or
cyber attacks ever happening to NOAA again?
Answer. Yes. See answer to Answer 35 above.
Fisheries
Question 41. NOAA oversees critical fishery management plans.
Connecticut's fishermen rightly complain these plans are outdated and
fail to reflect changes in fish stocks due to global warming, thus
hurting Connecticut's fishermen. Do you agree that the existing quota
system needs to be overhauled to better reflect the changing geographic
distribution of fish stocks?
Answer. I appreciate your concern with regards to black sea bass
(and other species) migrating northward while much of the quota for the
species remains in the hands of fishermen in the mid-Atlantic. I want
to ensure we have sustainable, efficient and profitable commercial
fisheries. If confirmed, I look forward to finding an equitable
solution in accordance with MSA national standards.
Question 42. Will you work to ensure that the fishery management
measures you approve appropriately balance the need to promote
conservation with the needs of fishermen in my state to make a living?
Answer. Yes, to the maximum extent practicable, I will work to
ensure that conservation and management measures are followed per the
guidelines of National Standard 8 which take into account the
importance of fishery resources to fishing communities.
Question 43. You mention in your testimony the ongoing trade
imbalance in this country. How do you plan to address this issue?
Answer. I support implementation of the Seafood Import Monitoring
rule to level the playing field for our domestic commercial fishermen
and to ensure that imported seafood is legally caught and not
misrepresented. If confirmed, I also plan to work with the NOAA's
Office of Aquaculture to help promote a robust and sustainable domestic
aquaculture industry and would like to achieve regulatory relief for
fishermen working in sustainable fisheries.
Human-caused climate change
Question 44. Do you agree with each of the following statements
included in the U.S. Global Change Research Program's recent Climate
Science Special Report?
Question 44a. ``Human-caused climate change has made a substantial
contribution to [sea level rise] since 1900, contributing to a rate of
rise that is greater than during any preceding century in at least
2,800 years.'' (page 10)
Answer. Yes, I have stated that quality peer reviewed science such
as was recently published in the CSSR, shows the anthropogenic
component of climate change is contributing to sea-level rise.
Question 44b. ``The magnitude of climate change beyond the next few
decades will depend primarily on the amount of greenhouse gases
(especially carbon dioxide) emitted globally.'' (page 11)
Answer. I have stated that quality peer reviewed science such as
was recently published in the CSSR, shows the anthropogenic component
of climate change is in great measure the CO2 contribution.
Question 44c. ``There is broad consensus that the further and
faster the Earth system is pushed towards warming, the greater the risk
of unanticipated changes and impacts, some of which are potentially
large and irreversible.'' (page 11)
Answer. I do not dispute this finding.
Question 44d. ``The world's oceans are currently absorbing more
than a quarter of the CO2 emitted to the atmosphere annually
from human activities, making them more acidic (very high confidence),
with potential detrimental impacts to marine ecosystems.'' (page 28)
Answer. I do not dispute this finding.
Question 44e. ``The rate of acidification is unparalleled in at
least the past 66 million years.'' (page 28)
Answer. I do not dispute this finding and note this quote in the
report (same page) is quantified as ``medium confidence''. The report
defines ``medium confidence'' as ``suggestive evidence (a few sources,
limited consistency, models incomplete, methods emerging, etc.),
competing schools of thought.''
Question 44f. ``This assessment concludes, based on extensive
evidence, that it is extremely likely that human activities, especially
emissions of greenhouse gases, are the dominant cause of the observed
warming since the mid-20th century. For the warming over the last
century, there is no convincing alternative explanation supported by
the extent of the observational evidence.'' (page 10)
Answer. I do not dispute this finding.
Question 44g. ``Many lines of evidence demonstrate that human
activities, especially emissions of greenhouse gases, are primarily
responsible for the observed climate changes in the industrial era,
especially over the last six decades.'' (page 36)
Answer. It is referenced in Chapter 3 (pages 116-119), that more
than half of the warming since 1951, when using a 1901-1960 baseline,
cannot be explained by our present understanding of natural
variability.
Question 44h. ``[T]here are no suggested factors, even speculative
ones that can explain the timing or magnitude and that would somehow
cancel out the role of human factors.'' (page 37)
Answer. In the context of the full paragraph on page 37, which
states that ``any explanations for the observed changes in climate must
be grounded in understood physical mechanisms, appropriate in scale,
and consistent in timing and direction with the long-term observed
trends'', I would agree with this statement.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Brian Schatz to
Barry Lee Myers
Question 1. NOAA and the NWS provide impact based decision support
services or IDSS to a wide range of stakeholders including federal,
state and local government agencies and officials, emergency managers,
schools and universities, hospitals, and other large institutions. Do
we have your commitment to continue providing IDSS services to these
partners who value them, and to maintain funding for them?
Answer. The National Weather Service's impact-based decision
support services (IDSS) are characterized by NWS as forecast advice and
interpretative services NWS provides to core partners such as emergency
personnel and public safety officials when there are special impacts.
The program is built on working closely with those partners using
science, technology and development of deep relationships with such
core partners. Core partners also include members of the weather
industry and the weather media who provide specialized services and
public distribution of public and private information and also relates
to the Weather Ready Nation initiative. This program operating
philosophy was being further developed through public comment last year
(2016). Accordingly, more experience and evaluation of the program in
practice is needed to fine tune and target the program to develop the
greatest value for the Nation from the program concept.
Question 2. Please provide details of your divestiture plan.
Answer. The plan is in process. A committee of AccuWeather outside
Board Members has been appointed to facilitate a complete purchase of
all interests in the company.
Question 3. Will you pledge to disclose any meetings that you have
AccuWeather representatives or agents regarding any official business
during your tenure at NOAA, if confirmed?
Answer. I will work out a method to track any one on one meetings I
might have with AccuWeather executives that relate to official business
of NOAA.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Edward Markey to
Barry Lee Myers
Question 1. One of the many programs NOAA's National Ocean Service
harbors is the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. The Gerry E.
Studds Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, off the coast of
Massachusetts, is one of the world's premiere whale watching
destinations and generates $24 million per year in New England. Marine
Sanctuaries like this one are community-driven and provide for the
conservation and stewardship of our Nation's natural, cultural, and
historic resources while allowing for multiple uses. The Office of
National Marine Sanctuaries serves as the trustee for a network of
underwater parks encompassing more than 600,000 square miles of marine
and Great Lakes waters. a. Do you commit to supporting the National
Marine Sanctuary System?
Answer. I agree that the National Marine Sanctuaries Program is a
useful way to help preserve our natural resources and boost tourism.
One of the reasons is the active role afforded to local communities
with respect to their management. If confirmed, I would continue to
support the program and role that State and local communities have with
respect to the designation process to ensure their voices are heard.
Question 2. In your testimony to the House Science, Space, and
Technology Committee in June 2016, you said ``industry presents the
best public facing forecasts and information.'' Yet AccuWeather has
posed as a government entity by buying the domain name
``nationalweatherservice.org'' and redirecting it to
``accuweather.com.'' The National Weather Service has asked AccuWeather
to stop using the domain name because it could confuse people looking
for the National Weather Service's free weather forecasts. However,
AccuWeather has not complied.
Answer. AccuWeather has never posed as a government entity, in fact
it has the strongest weather brand in the world. Its website is also
free to the public. At the outset of the Internet in the 1990s all
companies, usually through their technical service and computer
departments, and many government agencies, scrambled to create and
secure domain names that they thought would be important. It was
somewhat the ``wild west'' and many people went to significant lengths
to secure variations of words and names. Additionally, there were at
the start of the Internet only four domains .com, .net, .gov, and .edu.
Back then the .gov designation was for government sites, and the other
domains were for others to use. Additionally, many URLs and brand or
trademarks did not align. And many people had URLs that sounded or
looked similar to other brands or organizations. AccuWeather has always
been sensitive to those concerns. And over the many years since those
days has policed issues to ensure common sense in the use of URL and
also trademark alignment. Today, in 2017, there are an unlimited number
of domains. As a result, there are now dozens of
``nationalweatherservice'' domains currently in use or available for
sale on the internet, such as ``nationalweatherservice.network.'' These
are totally unrelated to AccuWeather or the National Weather Service,
and the number will only be expected to grow. I was not the AccuWeather
CEO in the 1990s at that time and did not always know about the many
URL domains we had or that others registered. However, on January 3,
2003, upon the request of the NWS, I was informed of this URL that had
the name ``national'' ``weather'' and ``service'' in lower case letters
and all run together as one long word with the .org URL suffix. In full
cooperation with NWS I required the servers at AccuWeather be changed
so that ``nationalweatherservice.org'' would no longer point to an
AccuWeather site, and it was ``mothballed,'' in cooperation with NWS
and as NWS had requested. In 2005 I was advised by the NWS that the URL
was functional again and ordered it terminated again. Until your
question, it was assumed that it continued to be inactive. However,
upon inquiry this week, it was discovered that on or about June 20,
2016 the company made server upgrades which updated all of the Domain
Name Servers. This inadvertently reactivated the mothballed domain.
That is why your staff thought it to be active. It has once again been
deactivated. If you plug in that domain it will not go to AccuWeather.
Such non-prompted domains usually generate little or no traffic.
Although these actions under the Internet domain registration protocols
were permissible, AccuWeather was responsive and cooperative with NWS
when the issue was raised. In fact AccuWeather has always worked well
with the NWS as to intellectual property concerns. For example, two
years ago, at my behest, AccuWeather licensed two very important
tornado warning observer reporting patents to NWS free of change, for
the good of the public. The URL issue above was a minor unintended
event. However, this situation, and your questions, have alerted me to
an intellectual property issue relative to NOAA as to what actions
were, and are, taken to protect the NWS brands and URLs, as a company
would have done. This is an area I plan to have reviewed at NOAA, if
confirmed.
Question 3. Senator Wicker and I worked with the previous
administration to stop illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU)
fishing by making a strong seafood traceability rule. NOAA established
the Seafood Import Monitoring Program which will go into effect on
January 1, 2018. IUU fishing undermines honest fishermen and
businessmen, threatens consumer health, and creates misleading data on
the health of our oceans. The Seafood Import Monitoring Program
establishes reporting and recordkeeping requirements to prevent IUU
caught and/or misrepresented seafood imports of certain species. Do you
commit to fully supporting and assigning sufficient resources to the
enactment of this rule?
Answer. I support implementation of the rule to ensure a level
playing field for our domestic commercial fishermen. This is an
important and large undertaking that will require setting priorities
and efficient protocols to ensure it is successful.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Cory Booker to
Barry Lee Myers
Question 1. What is your opinion of President Trump's 2018 proposed
budget for NOAA? Do you support cutting programs like Sea Grant and the
Coastal Zone Management Grants, as the administration proposed?
Answer. Given NOAA's budget allocation, some valuable programs such
as Sea Grant and CZMA grants fell below the line of what could be
afforded. These are two such valuable programs. I look forward to
understanding more about these and other budget priorities in the
development of future presidential budget formulations.
Question 2. In your written testimony you recognized the need for
scientifically-enhanced management of our fisheries. Can you expand on
what you meant by this statement?
Answer. I support the locally developed annual catch limits and
management decisions that are supported by the regional councils and
the scientific and statistical committees. I also believe technology
can be used to understand measures of fish stocks and landings in real
time to enhance accuracy in stock count and catch in virtual real time.
Question 2a. Do you agree that fisheries management decisions
should be based on the best available science?
Answer. Yes, as per national standard 2.
Question 2b. Do you agree that overfishing should not be allowed
and that depleted fisheries should be rapidly rebuilt?
Answer. Yes, ending overfishing is one of the main goals of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act and I support that law.
Question 2c. Will you commit to opposing any actions that would
undermine these core aspects of sustainable fisheries management?
Answer. If confirmed, I will uphold the letter and spirit of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act and any Congressional changes to that or other
laws.
Question 3. Do you agree that ocean acidification, driven by
increased carbon dioxide emissions, is a major problem that poses an
immediate economic threat to ocean and coastal industries across the
U.S.?
Answer. I understand that ocean acidification has had economic
impacts including to the shellfish industry.
Question 3a. Do you support the work of the NOAA Ocean
Acidification Program, and will you oppose any cuts to the budget for
this program?
Answer. I will support ocean acidification research, monitoring and
forecasting with funds appropriated by Congress.
Question 4. What are your views on protected areas like National
Marine Sanctuaries and Marine National Monuments as a tool for ocean
conservation?
Answer. I understand that marine protected areas provide
significant ecological and economic benefits. I will support the
transparent, and inclusive processes to establish such areas through
the essential fish habitat protocols in the Magnuson-Stevens Act and
the National Marine Sanctuaries Act.
Question 4a. Do you agree that our Nation's federally-designated
ocean protected areas should remain protected?
Answer. If confirmed, I will uphold the statutory responsibilities
of the agency. I believe that marine protected areas should be
established and maintained through community-led and science-based
protocols.
Question 5. Do you agree that marine debris is a pressing problem
facing the health of our ocean?
Answer. Yes.
Question 5a. Do you support the work of NOAA's Marine Debris
Program to reduce such pollution at its source and clean up what is
already there, and will you oppose any cuts to the budget for this
program?
Answer. I share your concern that marine debris adversely impacts
marine life by entangling marine birds, marine mammals and other sea
life. I understand that it also degrades to the molecular level with
potential impacts to the worlds ocean food supply. If confirmed, I will
implement funds as appropriated by Congress.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Tom Udall to
Barry Lee Myers
Question 1. Consistent and reliable weather information is vital to
public safety, national security, and our economy. National Weather
Service employees work tirelessly to serve our communities. For
example, in my home state of New Mexico and much of the Western U.S.,
we have faced natural disasters such as severe wildfires. Weather
Service employees have provided specialized forecasts tailored to help
firefighters safely and effectively extinguish those fires. In summary,
the Weather Service is a public good. Can you explain why it's
important for the Weather Service to continue to provide baseline
forecasts? And, are there other benefits of having government-provided
forecasts available to the public?
Answer. Protecting life and property and the enhancement of the
national economy is part of NOAA's core mission. These forecasts are
vital to the work of firefighters that you reference, as well as many
others across the Nation. NOAA should continue to provide the
foundational forecasts that Americans rely on each and every day. I
have always supported the free and open information availability from
NOAA for all members of the public.
Question 2. The space-based weather monitoring programs at NOAA
National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service
(NESDIS) are critical to national defense, support one third of the
U.S. economy, and, as Hurricane Harvey, Irma and Maria have made
startlingly clear, provide critical warnings that save lives and
protect property. To continue to protect this vital function for the
nation, sufficient funding is needed to ensure NOAA space systems are
developed in time to reduce the risk of weather data gaps. Will you as
Administrator protect our Nation's critical weather satellite assets,
including comprehensive planning to minimize gaps in coverage? Do you
support the Polar Follow-On Program? Finally, do you intend to fully
fund these programs, NESDIS and Polar Follow-On, going forward?
Answer. Yes, I support our Nation's weather satellite programs and
support continued satellite monitoring, as this data is important for
our numerical weather models. It is my understanding that the
President's FY18 budget request includes funding to develop PFO/JPSS-3
and JPSS-4 instruments and spacecraft buses that are copies of JPSS-2.
If confirmed, I will develop and provide a strategy, and look forward
to working with you to ensure we have continuity of observations, while
taking into consideration opportunities to reduce risk, save resources
and advance capabilities.
Question 3. NOAA's core missions are to understand and predict
changes in the Earth's climate, weather, oceans and coasts; to share
that knowledge and information with the public; and to conserve and
manage our coastal and marine resources. Thus, the mission and
portfolio of NOAA is incredibly broad and complex. While you do have
extensive experience in the weather industry, how will you set
priorities for the many other facets of NOAA, from space weather to
fisheries? With no formal scientific background or experience, how will
you set priorities for its $500 million research portfolio?
Answer. NOAA is an environmental forecasting agency that funds many
different research portfolios to support its missions. If confirmed, I
look forward to leveraging NOAA's intramural scientific expertise, with
external stakeholders in academia and industry to understand the full
scope of research opportunities. I will work with NOAA's Science
Advisory Board, the Executive Offices of the President and the
Secretary of Commerce to establish priorities for NOAA moving forward
and will continue to support the highest quality research that NOAA
conducts. No one comes to this agency will full knowledge in all of its
diverse areas, just as no CEO of a business comes to a business with
full knowledge of all the diverse areas of a major company. If
confirmed, I plan to ensure we have the executive and scientific
leadership in all areas of the agency who bring the expertise to the
decision making process needed in every area.
Question 4. Our oceans are filled with items that do not belong
there, including huge amounts of consumer plastics, metals, rubber,
paper, textiles, derelict fishing gear, vessels, and other lost or
discarded items. NOAA's marine debris program states that ``marine
debris is one of the most widespread pollution problems facing the
world's ocean and waterways.'' Do you agree that marine debris is a
pressing problem facing the health of our ocean? Do you support the
work of NOAA's marine debris program, in collaboration with
corporations, NGOs, and countless citizens, to reduce such pollution at
its source and clean up what is already there? Do you consider this a
priority at NOAA?
Answer. Yes, marine debris is a problem. And as time goes on it not
only poses the gross scale problem of snaring birds, mammals and sea
life, but as it degrades to the molecular level, could pose a health
risk to the worlds ocean food supply. I support the work of NOAA's
Marine Debris Program and if confirmed, I will implement funds as
appropriated by Congress.
Question 5. What is your view on NOAA's overall budget levels? Do
you support cutting programs like the Sea Grant, the Coastal Zone
Management Grants or any other program that the administration proposed
to cut in its 2018 budget?
Answer. Given the budget allocation, certain valuable programs,
including Sea Grant and CZMA grants, fell below the line of programs
that the agency could afford as priorities toward national security
were prioritized. I look forward to learning more about these
administration and congressional priorities to help inform future
budget requests. I am a strong advocate for critical NOAA programs.
Question 6. What is your view on protected areas, such as the
National Marine Sanctuaries and Marine National Monuments, as a tool
for ocean conservation? Do you agree that our Nation's federally-
designated ocean protected areas should remain protected?
Answer. I understand that marine protected areas provide
significant ecological and economic benefits. I will support the
transparent, and inclusive processes to establish such areas through
the essential fish habitat protocols in the Magnuson-Stevens Act and
the National Marine Sanctuaries Act.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Gary Peters to
Barry Lee Myers
Question 1. Several times during the hearing you were asked about
scientific integrity and maintaining transparent scientific review
process. You repeatedly emphasized a need for ``quality'' data,
``quality'' science, scientists remaining uncensored, and a focus on
the peer-review process. Different scientific disciplines have varying
standards for what is deemed ``quality,'' and often data and science
coming from Federal agencies undergo a thorough agency review before
submission for peer-review. How will you ensure the agency review
process does not become a barrier to publicly sharing data and science
produced by Federal scientists?
Answer. In references to ``quality'', I refer both to the standards
of the respective scientific disciplines as well as Federal guidance
and policies such as the Office of Management and Budget's Information
Quality Guidelines (IQGs) and the Bulletin on Peer Review. The IQGs
contemplate varying complexities of review depending upon the nature of
the research, with highly influential scientific assessments requiring
the most extensive review process. I support this flexible approach to
scientific review.
Question 2. For some scientific fields, the peer-review process is
not necessarily needed in its entirety to ensure ``quality'' data. How
do you define ``quality data'' and ``quality science''? And do you plan
to follow the standards of practice for the various scientific
disciplines that fall under NOAA?
Answer. As stated in my previous answer, there are existing Federal
policies that govern the development and usage of information by
Federal agencies. If confirmed, I will continue to apply these policies
to NOAA's science.
Question 3. According to NOAA, for the past four years, we have
experienced the warmest years on record with each year breaking the
preceding year's record. We are on track for 2017 to be just as warm.
Previous assistant secretaries in this position have played a major
role in driving the administration's priorities related to climate
science. What do you believe is NOAA's role in measuring and addressing
the impacts of climate change?
Answer. At its core, NOAA is an environmental measurement and
forecasting agency. NOAA's role is to observe and measure the many
aspects of our environment through its vast and extensive observing
networks. As the climate changes it is NOAA's role to provide climate
data and analysis that informs decision makers.
Question 4. How will you build capacity throughout NOAA and the
National Weather Service to better integrate social and behavioral
sciences into response plans, improve the communication of scientific
information, and increase our understanding of the social dynamics and
needs of vulnerable subpopulations to help prevent weather-related
injuries, fatalities, and damage?
Answer. Our ability to observe and forecast weather continues to
improve, but there are still nearly 6,000 people killed and over
400,000 injured every year in weather-related incidents. Having
improved physical science alone will not reduce fatalities and injuries
when extreme weather strikes. Studies have shown a need to integrate
social and behavioral sciences into weather-related incident response
in order to improve communication amongst meteorologists, emergency
managers and the public. The Impact-Based Decision Support Services
(IDSS) is helping to make strides in incorporating social and
behavioral science to better communicate the physical science. The
National Weather Service's impact-based decision support services
(IDSS) are characterized by NWS as forecast advice and interpretative
services NWS provides to core partners such as emergency personnel and
public safety officials when there are special impacts. The program is
built on working closely with those partners using science, technology
and development of deep relationships with such core partners. Core
partners also include members of the weather industry and the weather
media who provide specialized services and public distribution of
public and private information and also relates to the Weather Ready
Nation initiative. This program operating philosophy was being further
developed through public comment last year (2016). Accordingly, more
experience and evaluation of the program in practice is needed to fine
tune and target the program to develop the greatest value for the
Nation from the program concept.
Question 5. When we met earlier this month, you stated that NOAA
and private weather companies each has a defined ``swim lane'' that
each should stay in when regarding the role of each is providing
weather forecast services and products. Closely mimicking website
domains--as AccuWeather seems to have done with NOAA websites--seems to
blur the lines between NOAA's public role and the role of private
companies. Could you elaborate on what you believe belongs in NOAA's
``lane' and what companies are allowed to privatize?
Answer. As to the website domain issue please see the detailed
addendum to this list of questions at the very end. NOAA's role in
providing critical weather warnings and forecasts lies at the core of
its mission. NOAA should continue to provide the foundational forecasts
that protect life and property. As the private weather industry
continues to evolve, they should focus on adding additional value.
Companies in our society are free to use government and other data in
all areas, not just weather, to innovate and create new or similar
products and services as the government. This helps the growth of the
economy, the creation of jobs, and in the weather field has resulted in
the best weather information available anywhere on Earth, to the
American public and the free carriage of government weather information
to the public with no additional distribution costs to the government.
Question 6. Who do you think should be allowed to issue emergency
weather watches and warnings?
Answer. I believe it is in the best interest for NOAA to continue
to provide watches and warnings. Social science research has shown that
the public often wants secondary confirmation from an additional source
before they act. Weather companies fill this role in issuing both
government watches and warnings and their own watches and warnings and
analysis.
Question 7. Would you agree that NOAA should have absolute
authority to communicate weather watches and warning to emergency
managers and the public in order to reduce confusion and maintain
safety?
Answer. NOAA should be the official Federal Government source to
provide watches and warnings to the state and local government
emergency management community. Many state and local government
emergency management agencies use weather industry input from weather
companies or actually employ private sector meteorologists to be on
their payroll to provide the secondary source confirmation and
analysis. This has proved to be a most effective approach.
Question 8. Like many across the Nation, I was grateful for the
recent successful launch of JPSS-1. The observations from JPSS-1--now
NOAA-20--will provide critical observations on ice cover, harmful algal
blooms, and flooding. I cannot fathom the Administration's decision to
gut funding for the follow-on to the JPSS program. If confirmed, you
will lead the agency that is primarily responsible for these satellite
programs. Given the administration's lack of support for NOAA's
satellite programs, how will you support continued progress in
developing and launching the remainder of the polar orbiting
satellites--JPSS-2 through 4?
Answer. I understand the difficulties and challenges associated
with NOAA's satellite programs and their budgets. In recent years, NOAA
satellites have accounted for roughly 40 percent of the agency's
overall budget while simultaneously trying to balance other important
portfolios. My understanding is that the President's FY18 Budget
request allows for continued development of the program while also
initiating a program re-plan for the Polar Follow-On program. If
confirmed, I look forward to reviewing this plan and working with
Congress to ensure a gap in coverage is avoided.
Question 9. The National Weather Service employs thousands of
people to process data, run models, and produce weather forecasts that
are critical to keeping Americans prepared and safe. The staff of the
National Weather Service are dedicated to providing critical
information to emergency managers and the public, often working around
the clock during natural disasters like the recent string of
hurricanes. Recent reporting by the Government Accountability Office
shows 11 percent of positions at NOAA are unfilled. According to media
reports, this thread-bare staffing has lowered morale across the
agency. How will you ensure that the National Weather Service is
adequately staffed and can maintain all of its field offices, ensuring
that field offices even in remote and rural areas remain open?
Answer. I understand that NWS has experienced staffing issues for a
number of years. As NWS continues to evolve, it must remain efficient
and effective to serve the American people. I applaud NWS for
initiating the Operations and Workforce Analysis study and look forward
to reviewing its recommendations on how NWS can better protect lives
and property.
Question 10. What will you do to reduce the unfilled positions at
NOAA?
Answer. As stated above, I will review the Operations and Workforce
Analysis study recommendations which are part of NWS' Evolve
Initiative. I will also work with my counterparts at the Department of
Commerce to better understand the staffing issues.
Question 11. I appreciated your response to my questions about NOAA
data and the need for improved cybersecurity protocols during your
confirmation hearing, thank you. As part of your answer, you referenced
a 2016 letter sent by private weather companies to NOAA, outlining
concerns with the proposed transition away from Family of Services and
toward IDSS. Please provide the Committee with a copy of that letter.
Answer. Attached as separate PDF. Addendum on website labeling:
AccuWeather has never posed as a government entity, in fact it has the
strongest weather brand in the world. Its website is also free to the
public. At the outset of the Internet in the 1990s all companies,
usually through their technical service and computer departments, and
many government agencies, scrambled to create and secure domain names
that they thought would be important. It was somewhat the ``wild west''
and many people went to significant lengths to secure variations of
words and names. Additionally, there were at the start of the Internet
only four domains .com, .net, .gov, and .edu. Back then the .gov
designation was for government sites, and the other domains were for
others to use. Additionally, many URLs and brand or trademarks did not
align. Now, in 2017, there are an unlimited number of domains. As a
result, there are now dozens of ``nationalweatherservice'' domains
currently in use or available for sale on the internet, such as
``nationalweatherservice.network.'' These are totally unrelated to
AccuWeather or the National Weather Service, and the number will only
be expected to grow. I was not CEO in the 1990s and at that time and
did not always know about the many URL domains we had. However, on
January 3, 2003, upon the request of the NWS, I was informed of this
and required the servers at AccuWeather be changed so that
``nationalweatherservice.org'' would no longer point to an AccuWeather
site, and it was ``mothballed,'' in cooperation with NWS and as NWS has
requested. In 2005 I was advised by the NWS that the URL was functional
again and ordered it terminated again. Until your question, it was
assumed that continued to be the case. However, upon inquiry this week,
it was discovered that on or about June 20, 2016 the company made
server upgrades which updated all of our Domain Name Servers. This
inadvertently reactivated the mothballed domain. It has again been
ordered to be inactivated. Such non-prompted domains usually generate
little or no traffic. Although these actions under the Internet domain
registration protocols were permissible, AccuWeather was responsive and
cooperative with NWS when the issue was raised. In fact AccuWeather has
always worked well with the NWS as to intellectual property concerns.
For example, two years ago the company licensed two important tornado
warning observer reporting patents to NWS free of change for the good
of the public. It seems that actions were not taken to protect the NWS
brand or URL, as a company would have done, in the earlier days of the
internet. This is an area I plan to have reviewed at NOAA, if
confirmed.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Maggie Hassan to
Barry Lee Myers
Question 1. What is your plan to assure cost growth control for the
National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service
(NESDIS)? As the NESDIS budget has continued to increase, the National
Weather Service (NWS) has been relatively flat.
Answer. I understand that over the years NESDIS has experienced
significant growth in its budget, and now represents roughly 40 percent
of NOAA's budget. If confirmed, I will review NOAA's satellite
acquisition management processes to ensure that NOAA is being as
efficient and effective as possible. I also understand that NOAA is
currently reviewing its satellite system architecture. I look forward
to reviewing this report. In addition, longer term, the value of
private satellite data and information will need to be considered.
Question 2. What will you do to ingest more cutting-edge research
into NOAA operations from academia? What are the obstacles you see and
how will you address this in your goal of making the U.S. number one in
weather modeling and tapping the deep reservoir of talent at America's
research universities?
Answer. Research at NOAA must remain a priority and focus in order
to improve our operational products and services. For instance, the
Weather Act supported weather research both at NOAA as well as its
cooperative institutes that partner with universities, to produce high
quality environmental research. These types of collaborations are
essential to ensuring robust research that can increase NOAA's
operational skill. One of the Nation's leaders in this field Dr. Fuqing
Zhang from Penn State and I have discussed this topic for several years
and he gave a strong endorsement to my nomination.
Question 3. NOAA Administrator Conrad Lautenbacher, during
President George H. W. Bush's Administration, had a goal of 50 percent
intramural research and 50 percent extramural to research universities
and other research organizations. While he did not achieve this ratio,
he did partner with other entities to address research needs and
developed programs like the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System
(IOOS) that relied on trusted academic partners. As Administrator,
would you adopt a similar balanced approach to extramural and
intramural research?
Answer. I share Admiral Lautenbacher's approach to balancing
intramural and extramural research as I believe that the academic
research model can be an efficient, effective and flexible mechanism to
answering key research questions facing the agency. I will look to
utilize the full suite of funding mechanisms to access the expertise of
the academic community, such as prioritizing the National Ocean
Partnership Program to leverage other agency and private sector funds.
He is aware of my dedication to these goals and has endorsed my
nomination.
Question 4. Which areas in NOAA's research portfolio do you think
should be opened to more academic input and collaboration, and which
should remain intramural?
Answer. Competitive extramural programs have the potential to
achieve greater performance than non-competitive intramural programs,
though extramural grant-making is not always the most effective
approach to support operations. I have personally met with leading
scientists and scientific organizations that are partners with NOAA's
programs and have heard that NOAA can and should do more to leverage
the extramural community. If confirmed, I would both evaluate the
allocation of spending within NOAA's research portfolio and look for
opportunities to support more extramural research.
Question 5. What is your position on a ``Weather'' National Academy
Decadal Survey? Do you think the country needs one? The Earth Observing
decadal survey (representing the space-based atmospheric community)
works well because it gets a great deal of input from critical
communities. You signed on to the declaration of The Weather Enterprise
Consensus Building Conference in 2013 to create a Weather Commission.
Would you now support such a Commission or Weather Decadal?
Answer. NOAA has benefited from many reports analyzing its
operations and mission over the years. The National Academy of Public
Administration, the National Academy of Sciences, the Government
Accountability Office, and others (most of which I have contributed to)
have produced important reports that have helped guide the agency
forward. If confirmed, I will examine the need for such a Decadal
Survey dedicated to weather and work with Congress on the issue.
Question 6. In 2005, you (Mr. Myers) supported the ``National
Weather Service Duties Act'', which had it passed, would have
effectively prohibited the National Weather Service from dissemination
of weather data to the public. As the Administrator of NOAA, you will
oversee vast data holdings representing many years of collection of
invaluable data about our earth and oceans. These holdings include not
only data collected by NOAA for the management of our fisheries,
atmosphere, weather, climate, nautical charting etc. but NOAA also
holds all data collected through the National Science Foundation and
other Federal agencies. This data, as a matter of policy and scientific
rigor, have always been made freely available.
Answer. I did not advocate prohibiting the National Weather Service
from dissemination of weather data to the public. I have, in fact,
always supported the opposite--the free and open access of all
government weather data to the public--both private citizens and
businesses alike--through uniform release mechanisms to everyone at the
same time so that no one person or business had any advantage. I
continue strongly to support that position. The situation more than
half a generation ago was much different than today. By way of brief
background, it was in fact the NOAA policy from 1991, published in the
Federal Register, that itself stated ``NWS will not compete with the
private sector when a service is currently provided or can be provided
by commercial enterprises, unless otherwise directed by applicable
law.'' It was this policy that NOAA revoked in 2003. The National
Research Council in its Fair Weather Report states that House and
Senate reports regularly admonished the NWS to avoid competing with the
private sector. In January 2004 both houses of Congress were concerned
about this issue to the extent that they placed the following language
in the joint appropriation report, ``The conferees urge NOAA and NWS to
take maximum advantage of capabilities and services that already exist
in the commercial sector to eliminate duplication and maximize the
accomplishment of the core mission of the NWS.'' It was following those
concerns that S 786 was introduced to place the 1991 NOAA Policy, then
recently revoked, into law. It did not move forward, but the government
and weather industry have now spent a decade working well together,
through the leadership of myself and others, to have the best weather
information sources available to the public of any country on Earth.
Question 7. One of NOAA's critical missions is the collection of
hydrographic (seafloor mapping) data to assure safe navigation for the
vessels the fuel the U.S. economy. Can you explain how you will ensure
that NOAA retains the ability to collect and disseminate these critical
data?
Answer. I share your concern regarding the importance of
hydrographic mapping. The President's FY18 Budget continues to support
the collection of hydrographic data by NOAA's programs. If confirmed, I
will continue to work to maintain this capability.
Question 8. NOAA has had a long history of partnering with the
academic community in number of research areas using various mechanisms
including Cooperative Institutes. How do you see NOAA's relationship
with the academic sector evolving under your administration?
Answer. Cooperative Institutes are one of several approaches used
by NOAA's programs to leverage the academic research community. In my
conversations with the oceanographic community, I have heard that
another extramural funding mechanism--the National Oceanographic
Partnership Program (NOPP)--is underutilized. If confirmed, I will look
at reenergizing NOPP as a means of further leveraging the capabilities
of the academic community
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Catherine Cortez Masto
to Barry Lee Myers
Invasive Species
Question 1. As a follow-up to our conversation during your hearing,
please provide a full response to this question I raised: As NOAA
serves as co-chair of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force (FACA),
how will you enhance its focus on aquatic invasive species issues given
warming water temperatures will have severe impacts not only on Lake
Tahoe ecosystems and economies, but nationwide?
Answer. I share your concern regarding climate and its interaction
with invasive species. Invasive species can present a significant risk
to both biodiversity and economic activity, particularly in coastal
ecosystems where NOAA's programs frequently operate. If confirmed, I
would support NOAA's full participation in the Aquatic Nuisance Species
Task Force.
National Weather Service Consolidation
Question 2. In July 2016, the NWS briefed the Deputy Secretary of
Commerce on a preliminary plan to close two-thirds of the Nation's 122
forecast offices at night and on weekends, including the Las Vegas and
Elko Forecast offices, and consolidate the responsibility to issue
severe weather warnings at the remaining forecast offices. However,
Congress has previously rejected a similar consolidation plan when it
prohibited the NWS from implementing any ``plan to consolidate,
regionalize, or reduce service hours at weather service forecast
offices'' as part of the FY 2006 State, Justice and Commerce
Appropriations Act. If confirmed, would you move ahead to reduce 24/7
operations at any of the forecast offices?
Answer. The work of the National Weather Service is vital to
protecting life and property through its critical weather forecasting
capabilities. As NWS continues to evolve to serve the American people,
it will be my duty, if confirmed, to ensure that operations are
efficient and effective. I look forward to reviewing the
recommendations from the recent Operations and Workforce Analysis study
and working with Congress to chart the most appropriate path forward.
And I look forward to being briefed in detail by the National Weather
Service as to their plan and rationale. In any event, the quality of
severe weather warnings must be un-degraded and constantly improved,
regardless of office configurations.
Climate Change Perspective
Question 3. Your company, AccuWeather, states on its website that
``there can be little doubt that human beings influence the world's
climate.'' Do you agree with the statement that you believe that the
climate is changing?
Answer. Yes.
Question 4. Do you believe human activity is a primary cause of
climate change?
Answer. While it is difficult to assign exact values to each cause
of climate change, I recognize that humans do have a significant impact
through non-sustainable deforestation, development, increased
greenhouse gas emissions, and other global activities. Many of these
are set forth in the CSSR report issued on November 3, 2017.
Question 5. Do you believe climate change is a cause for the
increasing number of extreme weather events across the globe?
Answer. The nexus between climate change and extreme weather events
is currently being explored by scientists around the world. While it is
extremely difficult to find climate signals in individual extreme
weather events, it will be important for NOAA to continue its
monitoring and observing networks so that we can better understand and
analyze data trends that will help inform these answers. For example,
will changes in climate mean more or fewer hurricanes, more intense or
less intense hurricanes, hurricanes in new and different locations, or
in similar locations but with varying intensities for the past at some
locations and not others.
Question 6. Will you protect the role of NOAA in continuing robust
climate research?
Answer. Yes, If confirmed, it is my intention to continue all areas
of NOAA's research portfolios.
Question 7. On that same webpage, it states: ``we urge all
scientists and members of the public to engage in the global climate
change discussion.'' Does that seem to comport with the Administration
you are trying to join, where budgets are being cut to study our
climate?
Answer. In difficult budgetary situations, we must look to ensure
funding for many programs under NOAA's portfolio. While some programs
have received reduced growth or reductions compared to recent years, it
is my intent to continue the research of all NOAA portfolio areas.
National Weather Service ``Evolve''
Question 8. During the hearing, I asked you about the ``Evolve''
initiative. While you noted support for core partners, such as
emergency managers, you were not as clear about your interest or intent
to provide such services to other public entities such as the media and
other outreach. So I would like to get a specific response from you on
this question again in writing: As part of its ``Evolve'' initiative,
the National Weather Service plans to retrain and refocus its field
workforce to provide ``impact-based decision support services'' to both
core partners, such as the media and local governmental entities, and
its general partners, such as local hospitals and schools districts and
the general public. These efforts include webinars, briefings,
providing spot forecasts, utilizing social media, preparedness
education, development of specialized forecasts, pre-event planning
exercises, and on-site deployments of NWS forecasters. Do you support
the ``evolution'' of NWS services in this direction?
Answer. Yes. As NWS continues its Evolve initiative, it is my
intent to include all relevant stakeholders in these discussions and
include all relevant participation when and as appropriate.
Question 9. If not, will you as NOAA Administrator curtail or
terminate this aspect of the NWS's ``Evolve'' initiative?
Answer. It is not my intent to terminate NWS' Evolve initiative.
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