Bipartisan bill would ensure online access to NOAA data
A new bipartisan bill in the US House aims to safeguard public access to critical weather, ocean, and fisheries data. The proposed law, called the NOAA Data Preservation Act, would prevent gaps in storage if contracts with private cloud providers expire or change. Representatives Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.) and Nick Begich (R-Alaska) introduced the measure to ensure continuous access to information managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
NOAA currently relies on Amazon Web Services (AWS) to store its long-term datasets. However, with that contract nearing its end, the agency has reportedly explored alternatives, including Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform.
The bill requires the Commerce secretary to have a replacement cloud storage contract ready before the existing one expires. It also bars the secretary from terminating any contract without a clear plan to maintain uninterrupted data storage. Additionally, the secretary must consult with the NOAA administrator and notify agency employees about any changes to cloud services or data access during transitions.
The legislation, designated as H.R. 6184, seeks to eliminate risks of data loss or restricted public access. By mandating advance planning, it ensures NOAA’s datasets—vital for research, disaster response, and environmental monitoring—remain available without disruption.
If passed, the act would strengthen protections for NOAA’s cloud-stored data. The requirement for seamless transitions between contracts means researchers, policymakers, and the public would face no interruptions in accessing essential environmental records. The bill now awaits further consideration in the House.
