Advanced Weather Model Computing Development Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in enthusiastic support of H.R. 1715, the Advanced Weather Model Computing Development Act. Introduced by Representatives Deborah Ross and Max Miller, this good bipartisan legislation significantly advances the weather forecasting and climate modeling missions of the Department of Energy and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, otherwise known as NOAA, by authorizing collaborative research partnerships between the agencies.

Climate change is fueling extreme weather events, which poses significant threats to life and causes massive property damage across the United States. My home State of California has experienced billion- dollar extreme weather events and disasters. No State in our Nation is untouched by the damaging physical and emotional impacts of windstorms, flooding, and other disasters.

Deadly storms across the South and Midwest and entire communities being washed away in Alaska are only a few of the many challenges that extreme weather events and climate change pose. In my own district in California, we have seen flooding in Monterey County, in Pajaro, in Watsonville, in San Benito County, and great devastation and suffering. Supporting a robust Federal weather and climate research enterprise is invaluable to the safety and well-being of the Nation.

This bill is a necessary push forward for our weather and climate modeling capabilities, as it lets NOAA utilize DOE's high-performing computing capabilities and expertise. It also would improve the scientific computing infrastructure between both agencies, a critical need that NOAA has repeatedly expressed as being a roadblock to more timely and accurate weather forecasts.

An important aspect of the research which this bill would support is that it would improve NOAA's ability to accurately forecast weather and climate events by improving the utilization of preexisting data streams. This increases the bang for the buck for every taxpayer dollar spent on acquiring data while also improving our Nation's resilience to weather and climate disasters.

Madam Speaker, I thank again the sponsors of this legislation.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Ross), an enormously talented member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Stevens), a valued member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I am grateful to Representative Ross for the expertise and diligence and hard work that she puts in on the Science Committee. Her knowledge is invaluable, but there is something else. In this body, we know there is sometimes acrimony and fighting. She is someone, along with Mr. Miller, who wants to get things done, who put aside that kind of dissension and work together for the betterment of our country. I am grateful to both of them.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source