The NOAA office in Eureka is among 65 agency sites in California targeted for closure by Elon Musk and DOGE. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is the agency responsible for monitoring the weather and oceanic conditions along with other vital tasks. NOAA has now found itself on the chopping block along with other federal agencies targeted for freezes, cuts, and closures. Tracking the weather is vital everywhere, but in California, a state plagued by wildfires, it’s a must. Given that NOAA also acts as a regulatory agency, stunting it will only embolden corporations.
DOGE Targets Californian Environmental Agencies
California offices with duties relating to the environment, agriculture, and science are among those that DOGE will close, terminating their lease contracts, according to the DOGE federal database. The Trump administration already conducted a mass firing of many NOAA employees, and it’s not the only agency targeted in this way. The National Park Service, Environmental Protection Agency, and others have experienced similar treatment. These acts threaten not only jobs and local economies but also scientific progress.
A Reddit post by u/Randomlynumbered about the NOAA closures drew supportive comments as well as calls to resist DOGE. “How much longer before the only function of the Federal Government will be expecting a cut of your income?” said one commenter. Another focused on Trump and Musk’s overall attitude towards California and its politics,
They seem to be targeting CA pretty hard lately. Hope someone does something about this.
The NOAA office targeted by DOGE in Eureka also houses an outpost of the National Marine Fisheries Service. That makes it a crucial shield between ocean life and corporate profits. Corporations have proven more than willing to destroy the ecosystem if it means a C-suite bonus, after all. Dismantling NOAA is also part of Project 2025’s mission to rewrite American law and society according to its reactionary vision. Exposing Californians to new threats from corporations and nature itself? That sure sounds like a job for Elon Musk.
