Cantwell, Burr & Tillis Reintroduce Bill to Identify Solutions for Inadequate Doppler Radar
Cantwell: Better weather forecasting means first responders can better protect human life and property
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Richard Burr (R-NC) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) re-introduced legislation to identify solutions for areas across the country that lack sufficient severe weather detection.
This legislation would direct the National Weather Service (NWS) to study areas of the country, including Central Washington, with inadequate Doppler weather radar coverage and develop a plan to improve radar coverage.
“We know big storms and wildfires can have a serious impact on our lives and communities,” said Senator Cantwell. “Unlike Western Washington, there is a large Doppler radar gap just east of the Cascades. Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas and Yakima Counties have areas lacking critical Doppler radar coverage. Better weather forecasting means first responders can better protect human life and property. This bill is the first step toward filling the gaps in weather radar that leave areas, like central Washington, with blind spots.”
Last December, Cantwell led the Senate passage in unanimously passing similar legislation; however, the House failed to consider the legislation in the 114th Congress. Representative Robert Pittenger (R-NC) has introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
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