Who does State Climatologist (and global warming doubter) Patrick Michaels belong to: the Governor or UVA? According to Governor Tim Kaine, he’s all yours, Charlottesville.
For years, UVA professor Patrick Michaels’ skepticism toward human-related global warming was credited in media reports to the “Virginia State Climatologist”—which, in all fairness, is his official title. But as Michaels has fallen under increasing scrutiny, particularly for taking research funding from coal-burning power companies—which have a direct interest in keeping their smoke stacks spewing carbon dioxide, without a lot of interference from environmentalists—the State and the University have bickered about whose baby he really is.
Michaels was appointed State Climatologist by then-Governor John Dalton (a Republican) in 1980. But as far as Kaine’s office can tell, never again has a governor confirmed that appointment (though the State does contribute around $90,000 in funding toward the State Climatology Office at UVA). Michaels has remained certified for his position by the American Association of State Climatologists (AASC).
On August 17, Katherine Hanley, Secretary of the Commonwealth, sent a letter to UVA President John Casteen III stating that the University “assumed authority for the State Climatologist office and title in the 2000 certification application” to AASC, and therefore UVA is in charge of appointing State climatologists now.
Hanley also made it clear that Michaels doesn’t represent the governor or State government, and asked Michaels to “scrupulously [avoid] the use of the title of State Climatologist in connection with any outside activities or private consulting endeavors.”
University spokesperson Carol Wood says that they are “grateful” for the letter. Michaels reports to the chair of the department of environmental sciences—if Michaels were replaced as state climatologist, Wood says a search committee will likely make the new appointment, which is standard hiring procedure.
Almost every state has a “state climatologist,” though it is no longer a federal requirement. Most climatologists are affiliated with a university.—Will Goldsmith
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