Summary
The article discusses efforts to privatize U.S. government weather forecasting, which could lead to paid services, impacting those who rely on free weather information. Some of President Trump's nominees for weather-related agencies have worked in industries that could benefit from this shift.
Key Facts
- Howard Lutnick, as commerce secretary, oversees U.S. weather monitoring and forecasting efforts.
- Lutnick previously managed a financial firm that may profit if U.S. weather forecasting is privatized.
- Budget cuts at the National Weather Service and NOAA have reduced staff and funding.
- Privatization could limit free weather data, affecting those unable to pay for commercial services.
- President Trump's administration has shown support for using more private weather data sources.
- Some Trump nominees to weather agencies have connections to companies that gather weather data.
- SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk, could benefit from new weather satellites launched on its rockets.
