Lucas Weather Forecasting Bill Passes House and Senate

Apr 04, 2017
Press

Washington D.C. – The U.S House of Representatives today unanimously approved the Senate amendment to H.R. 353, the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act, introduced by Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03), Vice Chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. This legislation directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to prioritize its research to improve weather data, modelling, computing, forecasting, and warnings.

Vice Chairman Lucas: “When a major storm or tornado is quickly approaching your community, every additional minute of preparation time counts. This legislation strengthens our country’s commitment to severe weather forecasting and ensures NOAA has access to the best weather data. I am proud the bill also includes a dedicated Tornado Warning Improvement Program that will help develop detection and notification systems.

“The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act is a major step toward more accurate and timely weather predictions, and I am eager to see these life-saving policies signed into law soon.”

 

Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas): “Today we took a major step to transform our nation’s weather forecasting.  The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act will enable new weather research, models, and technologies to better protect lives and property. With this bipartisan effort, we will improve forecasting by looking to the private sector for new technologies and weather solutions. This bill gives NOAA a clear vision and allows them the flexibility to buy new, affordable, and potentially better sources of data. With more and better options, we can finally make needed improvements to our weather forecasting capabilities.  I look forward to the president signing this critical legislation so that we can make our weather industry great again.”

Recent Posts


Sep 24, 2024
Economy

Gensler and Peirce Disagree on Treasury Clearing Implementation

Washington, DC – Today, at a Financial Services hearing entitled Oversight of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Congressman Lucas, SEC Chair Gary Gensler, and SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce discussed the need to extend Treasury clearing timelines. While Chair Gensler did not say, Commissioner Peirce agreed with Congressman Lucas that there is a need to extend these […]



Sep 23, 2024
Press

Lucas, Mullin Welcome $5.5 Million Investment to OSU to Enhance Weather Prediction

Cheyenne, OK – The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded Oklahoma State University (OSU) $5.5 million as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024. The purpose of these funds is to increase knowledge about local weather systems in the lower atmosphere, enabling the safe integration of small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Advanced […]



Sep 18, 2024
Press

Lucas Honors NASA’s Hidden Figures at Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony

Washington, DC – Today, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Frank Lucas attended a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony, where he had the opportunity to honor the Hidden Figures, a group of women crucial to the space race. These women helped calculate the Apollo 11 mission to land the first astronaut on the moon. Medals […]