Jan 30, 2025 - Energy & Climate

Trump nominee disavows Project 2025's plan to break up NOAA

Andrew Freedman

Howard Lutnick, President Trump's nominee for Commerce Secretary, sits at a table during his confirmation hearing on Jan. 29. — Commerce secretary nominee Howard Lutnick at his Senate confirmation hearing yesterday. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Commerce secretary nominee Howard Lutnick shot down Project 2025's recommendations to break up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Why it matters: Project 2025, a governing blueprint that President Trump distanced himself from on the campaign trail but has since tapped into for ideas and personnel, called for the Commerce Department agency to be dissolved.

Under that proposal, parts of NOAA would be absorbed by other departments, while others, like the National Weather Service, would be privatized.

Driving the news: At his confirmation hearing on Wednesday before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, Lutnick responded to a direct question on whether he agrees with Project 2025's plan for NOAA with: "No."

Lutnick also indicated his opposition to a rumored executive order that would move some of NOAA's oceans programs to the Interior Department.
When ranking member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) asked if he would fight an effort to break up NOAA or move some of it away from Commerce, Lutnick said: "I have no interest in separating it. That is not on my agenda."

Zoom out: NOAA comprises the majority of Commerce's budget during non-census years.

It does everything from hurricane and climate research to issuing severe weather warnings and protecting endangered sea life.

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Trump nominee disavows Project 2025's plan to break up NOAA

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