Geoscience Policy Monthly Review
may 2015
The Monthly Review is part of a continuing effort to improve communications about the role of geoscience in policy.
Current and archived monthly reviews are available online.Subscribe to receive the Monthly Review directly.
natural hazards
House passes Weather and Forecasting Innovation Act
May 20, 2015
On May 20, the House passed the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act (H.R.1561) which would fund the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) research on storm forecasting and early warning systems. The bill would also support postdoctoral research opportunities with the National Weather Service (NWS) and stresses interagency cooperation. The total authorization for fiscal year (FY) 2015 is $90.8 million, and would increase to $100 million for FY 2016 and FY 2017.
In addition to funding research and technology related to weather prediction and warning, the bill would fund alternative strategies for NOAA’s data collection. In the coming year, NOAA is required to explore private sector partnerships in relation to its data collection. This includes making weather data specifications public and seeking private industry partnerships.
Source: Congress.gov