NOAA Updates Fees for Special Environmental Data Access Starting May
Published Date: 4/14/2026
Rule
Summary
NOAA is updating its fee schedule starting May 14, 2026, for special access to certain environmental data and products. Most data stays free for everyone, but if you need extra or special services, you might see new fees that better match the cost of providing them. This change helps NOAA keep delivering awesome, reliable environmental info to users worldwide without breaking the bank!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Large price increases for geomagnetic models
NOAA raises the price for the High Definition Geomagnetic Model from $26,714.00 to $29,539.00 and the High Definition Geomagnetic Model—Real Time from $34,793.00 to $38,405.00, effective May 14, 2026. These are specific, large-dollar increases for purchasers of those products.
New NOAA fee schedule starts May 14, 2026
NOAA updates its fee schedule for special access to certain environmental data and products beginning May 14, 2026. The new fees apply to listed services provided on or after that date, but products and services covered by a subscription in effect on May 14, 2026 keep the old fee until renewal or amendment of the subscription.
Some large digital products discontinued
Several NOAA products listed with a ‘*’ in the new-fee column will no longer be offered due to lack of public interest, effective May 14, 2026. Examples include Offline Satellite, Radar, and Model Digital Data (current fee $612.00), Single Orbit OLS & Subset (current fee $20.00), and Global Nighttime Lights Monthly Composite—one satellite (current fee $9,988.00).
Several line-item fees slightly reduced
Some NOAA user fees decrease effective May 14, 2026—for example, Offline In-Situ Digital Data drops from $125.00 to $122.00, Specialized CD-ROM/DVD from $226.00 to $217.00, CD-ROM/DVD Copy (Offline) from $84.00 to $83.00, CD-ROM/DVD Copy (Online Store) from $39.00 to $36.00, Order Handling/Quality Check from $26.00 to $22.00, Non-Digital Order Consultation from $14.00 to $8.00, and Digital Order Consultation from $34.00 to $24.00.
Minor fee increases for common items
Some commonly purchased items see small price increases effective May 14, 2026—for example, Department of Commerce Certification rises from $168.00 to $170.00, General Certification from $146.00 to $148.00, Paper Copy from $11.00 to $11.00 (unchanged), Paper Copy from Electronic Media from $11.00 to $12.00, NEXRAD Doppler radar Color Prints from $29.00 to $30.00, and Satellite Image Product from $82.00 to $85.00.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-04256 — Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management; Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
Starting April 3, 2026, new rules change when and where shark fishing is allowed in the Mid-Atlantic and adjust boundaries off Charleston and East Florida to better protect sharks. Fishermen using bottom and pelagic longline gear with Atlantic HMS permits will need to pay for electronic monitoring if they fish in certain safer zones. These updates help keep shark populations healthy while making fishing smarter and fairer.
2026-09776 — Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Port of Adak Pier 5 Improvements Project at Adak Island, Alaska
The Aleut Corporation got permission to do construction work on Pier 5 at the Port of Adak, Alaska, which might accidentally bother some local marine mammals. This project runs for one year starting May 12, 2026, and includes rules to keep harm to animals as low as possible. It’s a big step to improve the port while protecting wildlife and respecting local needs.
2026-09665 — Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List Gulf of Alaska Chinook Salmon as Threatened or Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act
After a full review, NOAA decided that Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon aren’t in danger of disappearing right now, so they won’t be listed as threatened or endangered. This means fishermen and communities can keep enjoying these salmon without new restrictions or costs for now. The decision was announced on May 14, 2026, and NOAA will keep watching to protect these fish if things change.
2026-09699 — North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council is holding a public meeting from June 9-11, 2026, to review the health of the Eastern Bering Sea Tanner crab population. This affects fishermen, seafood businesses, and communities relying on crab fishing, as the review could lead to changes in fishing rules. The meeting is in Seattle and requires advance registration, signaling careful planning and possible future impacts on crab fishing limits and local economies.
2026-09669 — Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processors Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Starting May 12, 2026, fishing for Pacific cod using hook-and-line gear by catcher/processors in the Western Gulf of Alaska is temporarily closed to avoid going over the allowed catch limit for the season. This pause lasts until September 1, 2026, helping keep the fish population healthy and the fishing fair. Fishermen using this gear in this area need to plan around this closure to avoid penalties and support sustainable fishing.
2026-09617 — Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Omnibus Management Flexibility Amendment to New England Fishery Management Council Fishery Management Plans
The New England Fishery Management Council wants to make fishing rules more flexible and consistent across the Northeast. If approved, these changes will affect fishermen and fishery managers by simplifying some administrative steps without changing catch limits. You’ve got until July 13, 2026, to share your thoughts before the new rules could take effect.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-07246 — Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes
Pilatus PC-24 airplane owners need to update their maintenance manuals by May 19, 2026, to include new safety rules. The FAA found that the previous rules weren’t strict enough, so this update helps keep these planes safe and sound. This change might mean some extra work but it’s all about flying safer!
Next: 2026-07284 — IFR Altitudes; Miscellaneous Amendments
Starting May 14, 2026, the FAA is updating the official flying altitudes and switch points for certain flight routes to keep the skies safe and smooth for pilots flying by instruments. These changes affect all aircraft using these routes and help avoid radio interference while improving navigation. No extra costs for pilots, just smarter, safer flying!