President Biden Nominates Rick Spinrad to Head NOAA

Today, President Biden nominated Oregon State University professor of oceanography Rick Spinrad to lead the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the government’s premier agency on climate science which oversees the National Weather Service.

Spinrad previously served as NOAA’s top scientist under President Obama and the U.S. representative to the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. The agency hasn’t had an official, Senate-confirmed leader since January of 2017, when two of former President Trump’s nominees failed to garner enough support to win a full vote before the Senate.

The following is a statement from Earthjustice Associate Legislative Counsel for Lands Wildlife and Oceans Danny Folds on the nomination:

“The American people need accurate, real-time information about their climate now more than ever. NOAA keeps our climate science and technology cutting-edge and responsive to the public’s needs, and it is the Biden administration’s job to restore Americans’ trust in this pivotal agency. Dr. Spinrad has spent decades building our understanding of oceans, climate, and weather forecasting. We are grateful that NOAA is in such capable and experienced hands. Throughout his career, Dr. Spinrad has dedicated himself to producing high-caliber science and has won Presidential and Civilian Service awards. His scientific vision and acumen will be essential to pursuing NOAA’s priorities and rebuilding NOAA’s reputation at home and abroad.”