NOAA Withdraws Support from Arctic Report Card

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has ceased its support for a key Arctic climate and environment report. This decision affects the Arctic Report Card, which NOAA has assisted with since its inception in 2006. The lead editor for the 2026 edition, Rick Thoman, disclosed this change when participants were informed that NOAA would no longer provide assistance.

Thoman stated, “We were informed in a phone call with NOAA yesterday that effective immediately NOAA was ending all support for the Arctic Report Card.” He noted that no reason was provided for this decision. This news places the upcoming report’s release in uncertainty.

We are frantically working to find a way to publish this year’s report. With its scheduled December release and considering it’s already August, it will be challenging. However, we’ll make the effort.

Politico first reported NOAA’s withdrawal, and Thoman expressed the difficulty of this situation. NOAA’s support has been crucial in delivering reliable updates on Arctic conditions each year.

Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter. I’m Rachel Frazin, your guide to the latest policies that impact sectors from oil and gas to new supply chains.

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Thanks for joining us today. Stay tuned for more updates tomorrow!