[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 78 (Tuesday, May 9, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H2147-H2149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1800
            ADVANCED WEATHER MODEL COMPUTING DEVELOPMENT ACT

  Mr. MILLER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 1715) to direct the Department of Energy and the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to conduct 
collaborative research in order to advance numerical weather and 
climate prediction in the United States, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1715

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Advanced Weather Model 
     Computing Development Act''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
     Department of Energy.
       (2) National laboratory.--The term ``National Laboratory'' 
     has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Energy 
     Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Energy.
       (4) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
     Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration.

     SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND NATIONAL OCEANIC AND 
                   ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION RESEARCH AND 
                   DEVELOPMENT COORDINATION.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary and Administrator shall 
     carry out collaborative research and development activities 
     in artificial intelligence and high performance computing 
     focused on the advancement of climate models and operational 
     numerical weather prediction relevant to agency missions.
       (b) Memorandum of Understanding.--The Secretary and 
     Administrator shall carry out the activities under subsection 
     (a) through the establishment of a memorandum of 
     understanding, or other appropriate interagency agreement. 
     Such memorandum or agreement, as the case may be, shall 
     require the use of a competitive, merit-reviewed process, 
     which considers applications from Federal agencies, National 
     Laboratories, institutions of higher education, nonprofit 
     institutions, and other appropriate entities.
       (c) Activities.--In carrying out the activities under 
     subsection (a), the Secretary and Administrator may--
       (1) conduct collaborative research to develop new methods 
     and optimization of modeling and simulation, machine 
     learning, data assimilation, large scale data analytics, and 
     predictive analysis techniques;
       (2) explore options for performance portability of the 
     optimized weather model codes between the operational 
     computing systems of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration and the Department's high performance 
     computers;
       (3) develop methods to accommodate large data sets of 
     weather and climate information;
       (4) to the maximum extent practicable, and in compliance 
     with national security policies, promote collaboration, open 
     community-based development, and data sharing between Federal 
     agencies, National Laboratories, institutions of higher 
     education, nonprofit institutions, and other appropriate 
     entities by providing the necessary access and secure data 
     transfer capabilities; and
       (5) support maintenance of and improvements to scientific 
     computing infrastructure that the Secretary and Administrator 
     determine appropriate.
       (d) Coordination.--In carrying out the activities under 
     subsection (a), the Secretary and Administrator are 
     authorized to--
       (1) carry out reimbursable agreements between the 
     Department, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration, and other entities in order to maximize the 
     effectiveness of research and development; and
       (2) collaborate with other Federal agencies as appropriate.
       (e) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary and Administrator shall 
     submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
     the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Energy and 
     Natural Resources of the Senate, a report detailing the 
     following:
       (1) Interagency coordination between each Federal agency 
     involved in the research and development activities carried 
     out under this section.
       (2) Potential opportunities to expand the technical 
     capabilities of the Department and the National Oceanic and 
     Atmospheric Administration.
       (3) Collaborative research achievements.
       (4) Areas of future mutually beneficial gains as a result 
     of the activities described in subsection (c).
       (5) Continuation of coordination between the Department and 
     the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 
     activities described in subsection (c).

     SEC. 4. CLIMATE AND WEATHER PREDICTION ON HIGH PERFORMANCE 
                   COMPUTERS INITIATIVE.

       (a) In General.--The Administrator, in collaboration with 
     the Secretary, shall carry out an initiative, which may 
     leverage Department high performance computers or expertise, 
     to run advanced models in order to conduct proof of concept 
     scenarios in comparison with current issued forecasts and 
     models. The Secretary and Administrator shall carry out the 
     initiative through a competitive, merit-reviewed process, and 
     consider applications from Federal agencies, National 
     Laboratories, institutions of higher education, nonprofit 
     institutions, and other appropriate entities.
       (b) Components.--In carrying out the initiative under 
     subsection (a), the Administrator shall prevent duplication 
     and coordinate research efforts in artificial intelligence, 
     high performance computing, modeling and simulation, machine 
     learning, data assimilation, large scale data analytics, and 
     predictive analysis across the Department, and may--
       (1) run real-time weather forecast scenarios to conduct 
     comparative research between National Weather Service issued 
     forecasts to forecasts developed through the use of 
     operational models run on high performance computers;
       (2) share relevant modeling system and applications 
     innovations developed through the initiative, including 
     Unified Forecast System-based applications, through 
     community-based activities; and

[[Page H2148]]

       (3) leverage related weather and climate efforts and data 
     from the National Science and Technology Council, the 
     Interagency Council for Advancing Meteorological Services, 
     and other relevant interagency entities.
       (c) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the 
     Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the Senate a report evaluating the following:
       (1) The effectiveness of the initiative under subsection 
     (a), including applied research discoveries, and advanced 
     modeling improvements achieved.
       (2) Potential opportunities to expand the high performance 
     computing capabilities of the Department and the National 
     Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
       (d) Sunset.--The authority under this section shall 
     terminate five years after the date of the enactment of this 
     section.

     SEC. 5. RESEARCH SECURITY.

       The activities authorized under this Act shall be applied 
     in a manner consistent with subtitle D of title VI of the 
     Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act 
     (enacted as division B of the CHIPS Act of 2022 (Public Law 
     117-167; 42 U.S.C. 19231 et seq.)).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Miller) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio.


                             General Leave

  Mr. MILLER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 1715, the bill now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MILLER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 1715, the Advanced 
Weather Model Computing Development Act.
  This legislation authorizes the collaborative research partnership 
between the United States Department of Energy and the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration to improve weather modeling and 
prediction on high-performance computers.
  Americans rely on accurate weather forecasting before, during, and 
after extreme weather events. Recent severe outbreaks across the 
country have further highlighted the increased need for more accurate 
and effective prediction of extreme weather in every region of the 
country. This type of weather prediction relies on the analysis of 
increasingly large and complex datasets through high-performance 
computing resources.
  DOE is home to some of the most advanced supercomputers, including 
the first exascale computer, and the most advanced scientific computer 
capabilities in the world. This legislation will enable large leaps in 
knowledge and operational tools by leveraging DOE's high-performance 
computing capabilities to analyze NOAA's complex and large weather 
datasets.
  By working together, DOE and NOAA can combine their respective 
expertise to solve some of today's most challenging problems in 
environmental science. By authorizing this partnership, we can ensure 
these agencies can continue their essential interagency research for 
years to come. We can also save taxpayer money by sharing mutually 
beneficial resources instead of building out duplicative capabilities 
at different agencies.
  This legislation would codify that partnership and provide new paths 
forward for this important work and new mechanisms for collaboration. 
In this way, we can increase government efficiency by working across 
the larger Federal landscape, a good government measure that will not 
only result in the protection of lives and property but also 
efficiently utilize existing Federal research dollars.
  It is smart, bipartisan policy, and I thank Ranking Member Ross for 
working with me on this legislation.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  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. I 
strongly urge all Members of the House to support this timely and 
important bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  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.
  Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1715, the 
Advanced Weather Model Computing Development Act.
  As all Members know, the United States has witnessed an alarming rise 
in severe weather events. According to NOAA, in 2020 alone, the U.S. 
experienced 22 disasters in which the total damages exceeded $1 
billion.
  North Carolina is no stranger to extreme weather. Flooding occurs an 
average of every 7.6 days in my home State. Hurricanes Matthew and 
Florence in 2016 and 2018 killed 76 people and caused a combined $21.8 
billion in damages.

  As climate change continues to drive the growing number of severe 
weather events, accurate and timely forecasts have never been more 
important for protecting American lives.
  This bill will enable NOAA to do just that, by fostering a 
groundbreaking partnership with DOE that will tap DOE's computing 
resources and expertise to improve weather modeling.
  Our bipartisan legislation with the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Miller) 
will enhance tools available to outstanding forecasters at the National 
Weather Service who dedicate their time and expertise to protecting 
lives, property, aviation, commerce, agriculture, and so much more.
  Madam Speaker, I also thank Ranking Member Lofgren and Chairman Lucas 
for their leadership. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
  Mr. MILLER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time. I am prepared to close once the gentlewoman from California 
closes, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman

[[Page H2149]]

from Michigan (Ms. Stevens), a valued member of the Science, Space, and 
Technology Committee.
  Ms. STEVENS. Madam Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Lofgren and my 
phenomenal colleague, Ms. Deborah Ross, for their leadership in putting 
forth this piece of legislation in a bipartisan way alongside the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Miller). Ms. Ross hails from Research Triangle 
Park, and there is no one better in this institution to understand and 
put forth the systems of our supercomputer technology, matching the 
Department of Energy alongside NOAA to get in front of these storms 
that are hitting us more ferociously and faster than ever before.
  Every single Member of this body can talk about their experience with 
a storm in their State or in their district. This is very real, and we 
know that supercomputer technology puts forth the best and the fastest 
applications. The DOE technology along with NOAA and their capabilities 
to match these datasets will help us get in front of these storms.
  Madam Speaker, I thank Ms. Ross, a second-term member on the Science, 
Space, and Technology Committee, the ranking member, and the chair for 
their work on this bill. I urge all Members to join us in passing this 
bipartisan legislation, getting in front of storms, getting in front of 
climate change, and making people's lives better.
  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.
  Mr. MILLER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I feel the same way and echo the 
sentiment, and I thank the gentlewoman for her comments.
  As I mentioned in my opening remarks, H.R. 1715 is a good government 
bill that leverages existing Federal research dollars to advance 
weather and climate science that will protect American lives and 
property. It is bipartisan, commonsense legislation, which is why it 
recently passed unanimously through the committee.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill once again, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Miller) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 1715.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. MILLER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

                          ____________________