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Hoyer Led Effort to Secure $14 Million in Federal Funds Since 2001 for New NOAA Building
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, October 14, 2004
COLLEGE PARK, MD - Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD) today joined the University of Maryland and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to launch the new Operations and Science Center for Weather and Climate Prediction to be located in the new research park, M-Square, in College Park.
The new NOAA Center will replace the National Weather Service’s World Weather Building currently located in Camp Springs, MD. Federal funding to begin construction on this state-of-the-art facility was included in the fiscal year 2004 Omnibus Appropriations bill at the request of Congressman Hoyer, one of the lead advocates of securing funding for the weather research facilities that will be consolidated in College Park. Hoyer has also played a major role as a liaison between NOAA, the University of Maryland, and the GSA to move forward on the development of this facility.
The current facility was built in 1970 and is not equipped to meet the demands of a major weather research facility. It has outdated heating and cooling systems, cannot support new information technology, and its current location is not optimal for recruitment at a time when some of our most talented scientists will be retiring in a few years.
M-Square will be Maryland’s largest research park, covering 115 acres near the College Park Metro Station, with more than two million square feet of built space, employing up to 5,000 people.
Following are Congressman Hoyer’s remarks as prepared for delivery.
“It is a great pleasure to stand here and usher in the beginning of a dream. Five years ago, when NOAA officials shared with me the idea of relocating the National Centers for Environment Prediction (NCEP) from Camp Springs, I knew we had an opportunity to think creatively about how we could both meet NOAA’s needs but also keep NOAA in Prince George’s County and the Capital region.
“NOAA was most interested in relocating the building near an educational institution to take advantage of the proximity to research institutions, which have increased their interests and budgets in climate studies in recent years.
“As ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Treasury-Postal Appropriations, I worked to include $500,000 in 2001 to begin the analysis of the possible site for the new building and also asked that GSA look at the possibility of locating near a university in the National Capital region. The resulting site analysis recommended the College Park/Greenbelt area.
“We secured $3 million in 2002 for the design work to begin, and earlier this year, in the fiscal year 2004 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, we secured $10.4 million so that we can make the award to design and build the new building. Our presence here today is testament that we are well on our way to making this happen.
“I cannot think of a better place to locate the new NOAA Center on Climate and Weather Prediction than near one of the most dynamic, academically enriched institutions of higher learning, the University of Maryland at College Park.
“This is a federal government-university partnership that will better serve the public with improved weather prediction research while providing students, scientists and academics with a state-of-the-art facility and technology to gain better knowledge.
“This is going to be a 285 thousand square foot building housing approximately 800 federal employees, contractors, visiting scientists, and academicians. But all of this is not solely for the purpose of building a grand, new facility.
“It is also means to better meet the goals of the Center of Climate and Weather Prediction. This new building will indeed spur the center to a place where it would be,
· the first choice for global and national climate analysis and forecasting,
· the first alert for all climate and weather hazards, and
· the preferred partner in developing numerical models and new weather and climate products.
“With the launch of this building on the grounds of this new research park, our community stands ready to play our role in making the seat of federal government a more modern, technologically advanced, and attractive destination for the best and brightest minds.
“With the launch of this research park, our community is poised to lead the world in advancements in technology, computer science, mathematics, engineering, physical and life sciences, and biotechnology.
“With NIH in Bethesda, the FDA Consolidation at White Oak, the FDA Food and Safety Laboratory here in College Park, the Veterinary Medicine Center in Beltsville, the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, and the ATF Laboratory in Beltsville, this region lays claim to some of the finest researchers, academicians, and scientists in the world.
“This is an exciting day for NOAA, the University of Maryland, and the citizens of Prince George’s County.”
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