President Trump has nominated Neil Jacobs, a former National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) official involved in the “Sharpiegate” episode during Trump’s first term, to lead NOAA.
Jacobs, a onetime World Meteorological Organization scientist, was first confirmed as assistant secretary of commerce for environmental observation and prediction in 2018.
He served as acting NOAA administrator from 2020-21 and was nominated as the full-time administrator in 2020, but never received a full Senate vote.
NOAA is the nation’s oceans, weather and climate science agency. It houses the National Weather Service, oversees climate science and manages fishing and marine life.
In September 2019, after Trump apparently used a Sharpie to alter the projected path of Hurricane Dorian on a map to depict Alabama in its path, Jacobs was involved in drafting a NOAA statement backing Trump’s projection. The storm did not ultimately make landfall in Alabama.
A 2020 internal NOAA report determined Jacobs and then-NOAA communications director Julie Kay Roberts violated the agency’s scientific integrity policy by issuing the statement.
Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter, we’re Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains.
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Essential Reads
How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future:
Senate confirms fracking CEO Chris Wright to lead Energy Department
The Senate on Monday confirmed Chris Wright, the CEO of fracking company Liberty Energy, to lead the Energy Department.
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Trump wants rare earth elements from Ukraine in exchange for military aid
President Trump indicated Monday he wants a deal for rare earth elements and other items from Ukraine in exchange for continued military aid in the nation’s war against Russia.
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Trump oil tariffs expected to raise price at the pump
President Trump’s tariff on Canadian oil is expected to raise prices at the pump for U.S. consumers, if it takes effect as planned after a 30-day delay.
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In Other News
Branch out with a different read from The Hill:
Climate change-fueled extreme weather could cost real estate market $1T-plus: Study
The impacts of climate change could cost real estate nearly $1.5 trillion in value, according to a study published Monday by climate risk modeler First Street.
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What We’re Reading
News we’ve flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics:
E.P.A. Demotes Career Employees Overseeing Science, Enforcement and More (The New York Times)
Texas regulators grapple with a growing problem: old oil wells leaking polluted water (The Texas Tribune)
Greenland ice sheetcracking more rapidly than ever, study shows (The Guardian)
On Tap
Upcoming news themes and events we’re watching:
Tomorrow, the Senate Science Space and Tech Committeewill voteon whether to advanceHoward Lutnick’s nomination for secretary of commerce and a broad range of bills including those related to plastic in oceans, harmful algal blooms and fire readiness.
What Others are Reading
Two key stories on The Hill right now:
Trump suggests permanent resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza
President Trump on Tuesday suggested Palestinians should be permanently relocated out of Gaza, questioning why they would want to return after swaths of the territory was reduced to rubble by more than 15 months of war between Israel and Hamas. Read more
Congress puts hold on Trump’s $1 billion arms sale to Israel
Congress has placed a hold on a $1 billion arms sale package for Israel that was readied alongside President Trump welcoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington on Tuesday. Read more
You’re all caught up. See you tomorrow!
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