Trump-linked firms could gain if weather forecasting is privatized
The Trump administration is pushing to privatize federal weather forecasting services, a move that could benefit allies tied to private weather firms and leave Americans paying for access to life-or-death weather information.
Veronica Riccobene reports for The Lever.
In short:
- President Trump’s allies are exploring plans to privatize the National Weather Service (NWS), which currently provides free public forecasts, warnings, and emergency alerts.
- If successful, the move could channel federal weather data to private firms for resale, benefiting companies with ties to current Trump cabinet members.
- Critics warn that privatization would make critical forecasts less accessible, particularly for low-income communities that rely on free alerts during natural disasters.
Why this matters:
The National Weather Service issues warnings for hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and other extreme events that can mean the difference between life and death. Privatizing these services could restrict access, placing low-income and rural communities at particular risk. Historically, private weather companies have lobbied to limit public access so they can profit from repackaging taxpayer-funded data. This raises deep concerns about environmental justice and equity, especially as climate change fuels more severe and frequent disasters.
Related: Cuts to weather and disaster agencies weakening U.S. climate resilience
