WING Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2295
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-24: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- Last Updated
- 2025-04-04T16:51:10Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Weather Innovation for the Next Generation Act of 2025 (WING Act of 2025) aims to address challenges posed by physical obstructions—such as wind turbines or buildings—that interfere with weather radar systems. It establishes a research program to study these impacts and develop technologies to maintain accurate radar detection and weather prediction.
Key Provisions
- Program Establishment: The Director of the National Weather Service (NWS), working with the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, must create a Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Program focused on mitigating obstructions' effects on weather radar performance.
- Program Activities:
- Collaborate with industry, academia, federal, state, and local governments, and other relevant entities.
- Test existing or near-market technologies to reduce obstruction impacts.
- Research new solutions, including signal processing algorithms (methods to clean up radar signals), short-term forecasting algorithms (to fill in gaps from blocked data), and dual polarization techniques (using radar's ability to measure particle shapes to counter interference from wind turbines).
- Develop practical, market-ready technical fixes for radar obstructions.
- Priority Technologies:
- Multifunction phased array radar (advanced radar systems that scan faster and more flexibly).
- Substituting blocked radar data with data from commercial radars.
- Using information from private weather towers.
- Mapping wind farm locations for display on forecasting tools.
- Installing and sharing access to rain gauges (devices measuring precipitation).
- Other solutions to address "beam blockage" (partial or full signal blocking by obstacles) or "ghost echoes" (false radar readings caused by nearby obstructions).
- Reporting Requirements:
- Submit annual reports to Congress starting two years after enactment, evaluating priority technologies and suggesting further testing of new ones, until the program ends.
- Provide a final recommendation to Congress five years after enactment on whether more research is needed or if field activities should stop.
- Program Duration: Ends on the earlier of September 30, 2030, or one year after the final recommendation is submitted.
- Definitions: Clarifies terms like "beam blockage," "ghost echo," and "obstruction" (e.g., wind turbines or buildings that disrupt radar signals).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new, dedicated research program within the National Weather Service, which does not appear to amend prior laws directly. It mandates coordination with the Interagency Council for Advancing Meteorological Services and emphasizes partnerships with non-federal entities, potentially expanding how weather research is conducted beyond current frameworks.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The National Weather Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will need to allocate resources for research, testing, and reporting, potentially improving radar reliability and weather forecasting accuracy nationwide.
- Citizens: Enhanced radar capabilities could lead to better severe weather warnings, reducing risks from storms, floods, or other events, especially in areas affected by obstructions like wind farms.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though improved U.S. weather prediction could indirectly support global meteorological data sharing or aviation safety.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: National Weather Service and NOAA, responsible for program implementation and funding.
- Industry and Private Sector: Wind energy companies (due to turbine interference), commercial radar providers, and private weather data firms, which may partner in testing or provide solutions.
- Academia and Research Institutions: Involved in developing and evaluating technologies.
- State and Local Governments: Collaborate on testing and benefit from improved local forecasting.
- Public: Communities near obstructions, relying on accurate weather data for safety and planning.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes time-bound authority for research without creating permanent mandates, allowing flexibility; requires congressional oversight through reports, ensuring accountability.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority to regulate commerce and promote science (Article I, Section 8), with no apparent conflicts to individual rights.
- Political: Balances renewable energy growth (e.g., wind farms) with public safety needs by seeking non-regulatory solutions, potentially reducing tensions between environmental goals and infrastructure demands; bipartisan sponsorship suggests broad support for weather resilience.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (8)
Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large], Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large], Rep. Vindman, Eugene [D-VA-7]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-24: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- 2025-03-24: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-24: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Weather Innovation for the Next Generation Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-24 — PDF (5 pages)