The US federal government is reversing its decision to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), a $350 million ocean monitoring network. The shutdown, initially announced without reason, had drawn widespread opposition due to the OOI's crucial data for climate change tracking, weather forecasting, and fisheries management.
A bipartisan group of senators and two Democratic House committees are challenging the National Science Foundation's (NSF) plan to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), a $386 million ocean sensor network. Lawmakers accuse the NSF of acting illegally and violating constitutional powers by decommissioning the system without congressional direction, citing potential threats to coastal communities and scientific research.
Democratic senators and two House committees are demanding the National Science Foundation reverse its plan to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative, a $386 million ocean monitoring network. Lawmakers accuse the agency of illegal action and wasting taxpayer money, citing a lack of consultation and potential threats to coastal safety and climate research.
Democratic and Republican lawmakers are demanding the National Science Foundation reverse its plan to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative, a $386 million ocean monitoring network. House committees accuse the agency of illegal action, while senators cite potential harm to coastal communities and scientific research.
Alaska's $5.3 billion seafood industry faces significant challenges as the National Science Foundation plans to decommission the Ocean Observatories Initiative, a vital deep-ocean monitoring system. The loss of real-time data from Ocean Station Papa is expected to hinder efforts to manage fisheries and prepare for extreme weather events in the rapidly warming state.
