Bulwark Takes: National Weather Service Cuts Hundreds, Disaster Could Loom Release Date: February 28, 2025

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, hosts Sam Stein and meteorologist Matthew Pucci delve into the alarming budget cuts facing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service (NWS). Released on February 28, 2025, the episode explores the implications of slashing hundreds of positions within these critical federal agencies and the potential disasters that could ensue as a result.

1. Introduction to the Crisis

Sam Stein opens the discussion by highlighting the recent news of significant budget cuts:

"The cuts that have been happening across a number of different federal agencies for our weather services. The numbers are fairly shocking and really have alarmed people in your neck of the woods." [00:21]

Matthew Pucci acknowledges the severity of the situation:

"Doing pretty well. It's been a busy stretch lately, but a lot of colleagues I know aren't as fortunate." [00:16]

2. Understanding NOAA and the National Weather Service

To provide context, Pucci explains the roles of NOAA and the NWS:

"NOAA is basically anything environmental, anything to do with the atmosphere, the oceans. It's both ongoing warnings and also research too to sort of embolden our understanding of the world around us." [01:28]

He further details the NWS's responsibilities:

"We get all of our watches, warnings, advisories, forecasts. ... They also issue forecasts for the ocean, for airports, for everything in between. They're responsible for commerce, for facilitating shipping, trade, pretty much everything you can imagine." [02:40]

Pucci emphasizes the minimal cost to taxpayers:

"The National Weather Service costs taxpayers about 1.3 billion a year, which amounts to about $4 per person. So roughly a cup of coffee." [01:47]

3. Impact on Air Travel and Daily Life

Focusing on practical implications, Pucci discusses potential disruptions in air travel:

"They very well could, but that sort of remains to be seen to the extent that they do." [03:07]

He cites specific concerns, such as reduced staffing at local Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs):

"Every specific air falls into the jurisdiction of a local WFO or weather forecast office. That's where there have been 300, 400 plus cuts of probationary employees." [03:07]

Discussing day-to-day effects, Pucci illustrates scenarios where weather forecasting failures could have dire consequences:

"For example, back on November 4th of last year, we had a morning line of thunderstorms move into the greater Oklahoma City area... several tornado warnings didn't get issued or didn't get issued in time because of these staffing shortages." [04:31]

4. Philosophical Debate on Public Goods

Sam Stein introduces a philosophical debate about the nature of government services:

"Weather forecasting is a public good. Right. I pay for it not because I want to get money back for it. I pay for it because I want to have information at my disposal." [05:00]

Pucci counters by comparing NOAA's budget to other government expenditures:

"No one ever says that the military loses $820 billion a year. And yet when it comes to the weather service, suddenly we're trying to cut something that is, you know,.15%." [07:00]

He underscores the indispensable nature of weather data for various sectors:

"Anything that moves from place to place in the United States depends on the weather... If you are driving, you want to know the weather." [07:30]

5. Legal Battles and Future Implications

Addressing the response to the cuts, Pucci anticipates prolonged legal challenges:

"I think it'll be a lengthy sort of a legal battle that will play out, and unfortunately, it will likely be a roller coaster ride for the folks who are just let go." [08:24]

He highlights specific legal precedents and ongoing lawsuits:

"Judge Will Alsop in Northern California... recently ruled that, you know, OPM can't be firing folks." [08:52]

Pucci elaborates on the operational difficulties arising from reduced staff:

"All these probationary employees, these, these, you know, weather service forecasters were let go. That leaves holes in the schedule, and that means fewer people on forecast shifts..." [09:10]

He warns of broader ramifications, such as impaired damage assessments after severe weather events:

"If a tornado hits Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Tuesday... They can't do that because they can't put gas in their tanks to go there." [09:45]

6. Conclusion and Call to Action

In closing, Pucci remains cautiously optimistic about raising awareness:

"I think the number of people affected is great enough that we can get the information out there that we need to." [10:24]

Sam Stein wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to stay informed and vigilant:

"All right, well, keep us posted on what you're hearing. Okay. And thank you again for jumping on, joining us, your friend of the program. Really appreciate it, Matt. Take care." [10:56]

Key Takeaways

• Significant Budget Cuts: NOAA faces a reduction of approximately 500 positions, with an additional 800 cuts impacting 10% of its workforce. The National Weather Service is also slashing probationary employees, totaling around 375 jobs.

• Operational Impact: Reduced staffing can lead to slower and less accurate weather forecasts, delayed warnings, and compromised disaster response capabilities.

• Public Safety Risks: The potential for inadequate weather warnings increases the risk of unpreparedness during severe weather events, posing threats to public safety and economic stability.

• Legal and Administrative Challenges: Probationary employees may pursue legal action against the government, potentially leading to prolonged legal disputes and further uncertainty within the agencies.

• Philosophical Debate: The episode underscores the essential nature of weather services as public goods, essential for various sectors including transportation, commerce, and daily life.

Conclusion

The episode "National Weather Service Cuts Hundreds, Disaster Could Loom" serves as a critical examination of the consequences resulting from federal budget reductions in NOAA and the National Weather Service. Through expert insights and real-world examples, Sam Stein and Matthew Pucci highlight the far-reaching implications these cuts can have on public safety, economic activities, and the overall effectiveness of weather forecasting in the United States. The discussion calls for a reevaluation of government priorities to ensure that essential public services like weather forecasting remain adequately funded and staffed to protect and benefit society at large.