Senate bill 786 seeks to shut down the National Weather Service from competing with the likes of AccuWeather a.k.a. CrapUWeather which charges for weather information and is very very unhappy you can get your weather info for free on the web. How dare you look for free weather forecasts!
The NWS is a government agency supported by tax dollars and makes available all kinds of information on the web, including live radar info, maps etc.
The bill would basically forbid the National Weather Service from providing any information that a private weather service could. The only exception would be in cases of severe weather.
A lot of boaters here in South Florida depend on the National Weather Service when they go out in the ocean they will have to pay AccuWeather and other similar services for the daily forecast other than those at the local TV station sites and perhaps your weather radio will be out of commission unless you pay a monthly fee!!!
And who knows what would happen to awesome sites like Weather Underground which renders local station sites pretty useless
If you’re concerned about this bill and the future of the National Weather Service you can contact your senator and give them a piece of your mind, politely! They need to hear from you and really get a feel of how bad a bill this is!
I’ve heard Bill Nelson answers his emails sometimes so those of you who lurk here and have your own weather sites and boat would probably be able to convey to him in much better terms how vital the NSW is to you.
Weather Underground
Text of Senate Bill S.786
WINK-TV
Senate Bill Could Change National Weather Service Mission
To tell you the truth. I dont think the senate likes us people. The American People. I mean the one thing thats good that we have they take it away from us. Next thing you know the FDA is taking Peanut Butter of the market. Ok bad example. But you guys know what I mean, I hope.
God D*mnit! We cant waste our money just to get the weather report! They can’t take that away from us!
Don’t do it, or I am moving to a different country.
don’t panic people…it wont happen…this same bill came up last year and there was all kinds of speculation…but it never even made it onto the senate floor.
relax everyone…take a deep breath!
Intelliguy, I like your idea but I dont think its worth it for a free weather report
Intelliguy, I like your idea but I dont think its worth to leave the country just because you need to pay for a weather report