The Trump administration reinstated federal funding for four National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration regional climate centers after allowing their government contracts to expire.
Earlier this month, the websites for four of NOAA’s six regional climate centers went dark due to a “lapse in federal funding from the Department of Commerce through NOAA.” As part of the Trump administration’s efforts to slash costs at the bureaucracy, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is reportedly examining all NOAA contracts above $100,000.
Recommended Stories
- Trump to impose steep tariffs on Asian solar imports, increasing pressure on China
- EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin blasts media coverage of ‘gold bars’ green funds case
- AI's thirst for power presents major challenges to energy grid
However, funding is now on track to be restored to those centers for another year, according to a News of the United States report. All four of the centers’ data and tools have also been restored to the internet.
Regional climate centers collect and distribute information regarding climate conditions. The four affected centers were in the High Plains, Midwestern, Southeastern, and Southern regions.
Last Thursday, the High Plains website went dark.
“Funding for the Regional Climate Center program lapsed on April 17, 2025 due to a suspension of federal funding from NOAA through the Department of Commerce,” a message on the website read, according to WGNTV. “It is unknown if or when funding will resume. All data and services offered under the [High Plains Regional Climate Center] contract, including this website, are unavailable.”
As of Tuesday, the High Plains website is up and running.
Messages on the other affected regional centers’ websites have confirmed their federal funding has been restored or will be soon.
“Thank you to everyone who expressed their strong support for the Regional Climate Center program. Our funding has been restored by NOAA and the Department of Commerce,” read the banner atop the Midwest Regional Climate Center website Tuesday afternoon.
“Thanks to overwhelming support from our users and supporters, significant progress has been made toward assuring funding for this website will continue during the coming year. We are awaiting official word that funds will be available after June 17,” read a banner from the Northeast Regional Climate Center’s website Tuesday afternoon.
“The Southeast Regional Climate Center products and services have been restored as our NOAA contract has been renewed. We very much appreciate the support we received from our many users,” read a banner on the Southeast Regional Climate Center’s website.
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has scrutinized NOAA for waste and inefficiency and has initiated steep cuts to its workforce. However, Lutnick told Congress during his confirmation hearing that he has no interest in shuttering NOAA altogether.
“That is not on my agenda,” Lutnick said.
DOGE ENTERS NOAA, RAISING DEMOCRATIC FEARS IT WILL BE DISMANTLED
The Trump administration’s actions have sparked anger from Democrats.
“We want rain predictions for the people, Elon Musk wants to make it rain money for his pockets,” Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) said at a February Washington, D.C., rally protesting the changes at NOAA. “DOGE wants to cut NOAA’s staff in half. Those are the workers who keep your children and pets safe from toxins at the shore in blue and red states alike.”