Fund to support weather monitoring, other research proposed

The Natural Resources Committee heard testimony March 6 on a bill intended to assist a statewide network of weather monitoring stations known as Mesonet and other research efforts.

LB595, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Jason Prokop, would create the Research Excellence Cash Fund to support research-based investments in data, data collection and ongoing research critical to the state’s economy, including the Nebraska Mesonet.

The fund, which would be administered by the University of Nebraska, would consist of money from gifts, grants or bequests and transfers authorized by the Legislature.

Although the bill would not direct any money to the new fund, Prokop said, it would enable future investments in research programs that are crucial to the state’s agricultural economy and quality of life, including the Mesonet.

“The challenges we face today do require a data-driven approach, whether it’s providing farmers with accurate weather information, enhancing public safety efforts or improving our state’s ability to respond to disasters,” he said.

Larkin Powell, director of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s School of Natural Resources, gave neutral testimony on his own behalf. He said the State Climate Office and other state agencies are using federal grants to build out the Mesonet, which currently includes 74 stations.

State funding is needed to staff, operate and maintain the system, which has an estimated return on investment of more than 100 to one, Powell said.

Also providing neutral testimony on his own behalf was Nebraska Forest Service Director John Erixson. He said the Mesonet can play a “critical” role in mitigating wildfire damage by detecting smoke plumes or other telltale signs of an outbreak, triangulating a fire’s position and providing real-time weather data to firefighters.

“It enables agencies to respond more quickly, allocate resources more effectively and anticipate potential fire outbreaks before they escalate,” Erixson said.

Russell Callan testified in support of LB595 on behalf of the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts. He said farmers use Mesonet data to make informed decisions about irrigation during the growing season, helping to conserve water and mitigate nitrogen contamination.

The system also is essential for tracking long-term weather trends, improving flood forecasting and enhancing water management programs, Callan added.

Also in support was Lorrie Benson, who spoke on behalf of the Climate Action Team at First-Plymouth Congregational Church in Lincoln. She said the Mesonet could become especially important to Nebraska if cuts to federal programs and agencies such as the National Weather Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are allowed to stand.

In addition to its other benefits, Benson said, a “robust” Mesonet would help attract and retain talented faculty and students.

“We need to stabilize the funding for the Mesonet, first for researchers and students and then for the ripple effects that benefit all Nebraskans,” she said.

No one testified in opposition to the bill and the committee took no immediate action on it.