ARL News
President Bush Visits NOAA
February 14, 2002
President Bush announced a new global climate change initiative during an address at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Science Center on February 14. Prior to his address, President Bush toured several exhibits that provided an overview of NOAA’s climate and air quality monitoring and research activities. The President was accompanied by Commerce Secretary Donald Evans, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, EPA Administrator Christie Todd Whitman, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere–retired Navy VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, and other high-ranking government officials.
Bruce Hicks, Roland Draxler and Glenn Rolph of NOAA’s Air Resources Laboratory (ARL) presented information on air quality measurements and prediction using transport and dispersion models. “The President’s interest in air quality was very evident. He was clearly gratified that NOAA and EPA provide a good example of federal agencies working closely together.” Bruce Hicks, Director, Air Resources Laboratory.
Roland Draxler and Glenn Rolph showed an example of the predicted transport and dispersion of a hazardous release into the atmosphere using the HYSPLIT model. “The president asked about the calculation method and how the model was run for real situations.” Roland Draxler, Research Meteorologist, Air Resources Laboratory.
