Amount Requested: $6,000,000
The $6 million requested will allow the Regional Climate Centers (RCCs) to meet the increasing demand for high quality climate information that has become an essential component for emergency managers and environmental planners. $4 million is needed to allow the RCCs to maintain their current activities with federal, state, local, and private agencies, and $2 million is needed to expand their climate data information system to meet increasing demand for more sophisticated climate information. The RCC program also provides specific benefits to New York. Established in 1983, the Northeast Regional Climate Center (NRCC) is located at Cornell University. It serves the 12-state region that includes: CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, and WV. The NRCC works cooperatively with the NCDC, state climate offices and other interested scientists in the northeast to acquire and disseminate accurate, up-to-date climate data and information.  The Center's research and services provides valuable input for climate-sensitive issues such as agriculture, climate change, energy, the environment, human health, risk management, transportation, and water resources.