Neil Jacobs, the former acting administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has been nominated by President Donald Trump to lead the agency once again. Despite serving in this capacity during the president’s first term, Jacobs was never confirmed by the full Senate due to the controversy surrounding “Sharpiegate,” where NOAA was embroiled in a dispute over Hurricane Dorian’s projected path.

NOAA plays a crucial role in monitoring and predicting weather and climate, managing the nation’s weather data, overseeing oceans and coasts, protecting endangered species, and managing fisheries. With an annual budget of approximately $7 billion and nearly 12,000 employees, NOAA’s responsibilities are vast and critical.

Neil Jacobs, an atmospheric scientist with degrees in math and physics, has extensive experience in the field. Before his NOAA appointments, he worked at Panasonic Avionics Corporation, focusing on aviation weather observing platforms and forecast models. His nomination has garnered support from fishing organizations, emphasizing the need for strong leadership at NOAA amidst industry challenges.

The ‘Sharpiegate’ controversy, where NOAA staff were warned not to contradict the president’s inaccurate statements about Hurricane Dorian’s path, raised concerns about scientific integrity within the agency. Despite this incident, Jacobs’ nomination has received cautious approval from experts, who are hopeful for effective leadership at NOAA moving forward.