Key facts
- Lawmakers are demanding the National Science Foundation reverse its plan to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative, a $386 million ocean monitoring network.
- The network, comprising over 900 sensors, has provided data on ocean circulation, marine ecosystems, climate change, and extreme weather for a decade.
- Critics argue the NSF's decision lacks scientific review and consultation, with some House Democrats calling the action illegal.
- The NSF stated the move aligns with prioritizing evolving scientific priorities and emerging technologies, referencing a recent National Academies report.
- Lawmakers are concerned the cuts threaten coastal community safety and the nation's ability to monitor environmental changes and extreme weather.
A coalition of US lawmakers, including Democratic senators and House committees, is challenging the National Science Foundation's (NSF) plan to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), a $386 million network of ocean sensors. The lawmakers argue the decision is "supreme stupidity" and potentially illegal, citing a lack of consultation and scientific review. The OOI has been instrumental in tracking ocean circulation, marine ecosystems, climate change, and extreme weather for the past decade, making its data freely available to the public and informing hundreds of scientific publications. The NSF, however, describes the move as "descoping" to align with evolving scientific priorities and emerging technologies, referencing a recent National Academies report. The proposed cuts are seen as part of a broader retreat from environmental and climate science under the Trump administration. Lawmakers are concerned about the impact on coastal community safety and the nation's ability to monitor environmental changes and prepare for extreme weather events like El Niño. Some House Democrats have specifically accused the NSF of illegal action, stating that federal appropriations law requires advance notification to Congress for decommissioning assets valued over $2.5 million, which they claim was not provided. Senators Jeff Merkley and Lisa Murkowski are co-leading efforts, including planned legislation to prohibit the NSF from spending funds to decommission instruments until a thorough review is completed. Scientists are reportedly set to begin removing the first buoy from the Oregon coast.