Bill Overview
Title: WING Act of 2022
Description: This bill directs the National Weather Service to establish a research, development, test, and evaluation program to ensure that weather radar detection and prediction capabilities continue to perform with physical obstructions in their line of sight.
Sponsors: Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals worldwide affected by weather forecasting
Estimated Size: 335000000
- Weather affects everyone on the planet.
- The National Weather Service (NWS) provides services for the United States, but its advancements often influence global meteorological practices.
- Improved weather radar detection and prediction capabilities can lead to better weather forecasting and early-warning systems, impacting global agriculture, disaster preparedness, transportation, and daily life.
- While the bill is US-focused, advancements in weather technology in one country often disseminate internationally.
Reasoning
- The majority of the US population stands to benefit at least slightly from better weather predictions, though the degree of impact will vary.
- The policy budget limits imply an incremental improvement in technology, which may not significantly alter wellbeing for those not directly reliant on precise weather data.
- Farmers and people in disaster-prone areas might perceive higher impacts on their wellbeing due to improved predictability and preparation times.
- Urban dwellers may experience less perceptible impact, although they would benefit in ways not immediately visible, such as reduced disruption in commutes during weather events.
- Individuals already engaged in industries reliant on meteorological data (e.g., agriculture, logistics, infrastructure planning) might report a noticeable enhancement in their wellbeing.
- Most people are likely to remain unaware of this policy unless they directly experience improved event-specific forecasts.
- The relative commonness of individuals greatly affected by specific weather conditions is comparatively low, while general indirect beneficiaries cover the entire population.
Simulated Interviews
Insurance Adjuster (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Better weather predictions will make my job easier and commute more reliable.
- I expect fewer disputes over weather-related claims.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Farmer (Miami, FL)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could mean earlier warnings and better prep to save my crops.
- Maybe less anxiety around hurricane season.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Truck Driver (Kansas City, MO)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved weather tracking can make my job safer and my routes more efficient.
- Not having to worry as much about sudden weather changes is a relief.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Retired (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not sure I'd notice much difference, but if it helps my neighborhood stay safe during storms, that's good.
- I value any improvements for emergency preparedness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Meteorologist (Houston, TX)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is exciting as it directly impacts my work.
- We could deliver more precise forecasts to our audience.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 10 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 9 |
Software Engineer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 36 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I doubt I'll see any major changes, but clearer forecasts would be nice.
- It might help with planning trips better.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Emergency Services Coordinator (Chicago, IL)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Better weather tech means we can prepare better and potentially save lives.
- This would make a real difference in emergency response planning.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Construction Manager (Seattle, WA)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Anything that helps us plan construction projects around rain patterns is a big help.
- I'm hopeful this means fewer delays and surprises.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
School Principal (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved predictions would help us plan and reduce unnecessary closures.
- Safety is top priority, but better data helps in making close calls.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Small Business Owner (Denver, CO)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We rely on accurate forecasts for safety and profits.
- Better radar helps us plan our season and manage snow more effectively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Year 2: $160000000 (Low: $130000000, High: $190000000)
Year 3: $170000000 (Low: $140000000, High: $200000000)
Year 5: $180000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $210000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Technological advancements in weather detection are crucial for improving safety and readiness against natural disasters.
- Innovation in weather technologies can have far-reaching impacts globally beyond just the U.S.
- Initial setup and development costs are high, but the long-term savings and benefits can be substantial.