Spire, Inc.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX21), chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, along with U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-OK1), chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment for the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, today released the following statements congratulating Spire, Inc., a private sector weather company, on earning the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration first contract to acquire data from a commercial weather satellite constellation. Spire has been hired to provide GPS Radio Occultation data to increase weather forecasting.

“I am pleased that NOAA is making an initial award to acquire private sector weather data to address an issue the Science Committee has been monitoring over the course of multiple Congresses. ” said Chairman Smith. “In the face of looming data gaps and continual delays with our governmental satellite systems, the private sector can provide data to better predict weather and protect American lives and property.  In the face of real threats, NOAA needs to address its shortfalls and think beyond government weather systems by making further awards under the commercial weather data program. Today, I am encouraged that NOAA will to do what is right and put Americans’ safety and best interest first.

“Private sector companies such as Spire are developing capabilities to provide data that can improve our severe weather forecasts,” said Chairman Bridenstine. “This is critically important for my state of Oklahoma. I applaud NOAA for taking this critical first step to signal to industry that NOAA is open to these new sources of data.”

NOAA awarded the contract to Spire under the Commercial Weather Data Pilot program, which was first proposed in House-passed H.R. 1561, the Lucas-Bridenstine Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 funded a pilot program based on H.R. 1561. NOAA began implementing the pilot in early 2016.

 

GeoOptics

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX21), chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, along with U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-OK1), chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment for the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, today released the following statements congratulating GeoOptics, a private sector weather company, on earning a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration contract to acquire data from a commercial weather satellite constellation. GeoOptics has been hired to provide GPS Radio Occultation data to increase weather forecasting.
 
“NOAA’s inaugural award to GeoOptics for commercial weather data marks an important milestone to transform our faltering government weather satellite programs” said Chairman Smith. “Unfortunately, over the last decade, our government satellite systems have been plagued by cost overruns and delays that risk the loss of American lives and property from severe storms.  I am encouraged that NOAA is listening to Congressional calls to consider a paradigm shift by beginning to seriously consider all options to better predict weather.  NOAA’s first of hopefully many awards will provide innovative private sector weather data to enhance our weather forecasting capabilities.  I thank GeoOptics and Spire for their leadership, ingenuity, and entrepreneurial spirit.”
 
"With the awarding of multiple contracts, NOAA has shown that there is great potential for the government to leverage this new industry.” said Chairman Bridenstine.  “I applaud GeoOptics, and am confident that more data from innovative private companies will help save lives and property."

NOAA awarded contracts to GeoOptics and Spire under the Commercial Weather Data Pilot program, which was first proposed in House-passed H.R. 1561, the Lucas-Bridenstine Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 funded a pilot program based on H.R. 1561. NOAA began implementing the pilot in early 2016.

Media Contacts: Kristina Baum (Smith), Sheryl Kaufman (Bridenstine)

 

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