Trump looking to cut climate science agency’s budget: report

The Trump administration is seeking major cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), one of the government’s climate science agencies, the Washington Post reported late Friday.

According to a budget memo obtained by the newspaper, the White House is trying to cut the agency’s funding by 17 percent.

Cutting the NOAA’s budget would take away $126 million in research funding and $513 million from its satellite division.

{mosads}The Office of Management and Budget also inquired to the Commerce Department about the cost of laying off employees.

The OMB document obtained by the newspaper said the White House seeks to  “prioritize rebuilding the military.”

An anonymous administration official told the newspaper said the budget cut process was “evolving” and warned against precise numbers.

Scientists told the Post that the proposed budget cuts would affect academic programs.

“NOAA’s research and operations, including satellite data management, support critical safety needs. A reduced investment now would virtually guarantee jeopardizing the safety of the American public,” said Rick Spinrad, who was a chief scientist at the agency.

The agency’s administrator during President George W. Bush administration said the cuts were “ill timed.”

“It will be very hard for NOAA to manage and maintain the kind of services the country requires,” Conrad Lautenbacher said.