User:Ktobiska/sandbox

The concept of a Space Weather Economic Innovation Zone stems from the work of the American Commercial Space Weather Association (ACSWA) in 2015. The establishment of this economic innovation zone would encourage expanded economic activity developing applications to manage the risks space weather and would encourage broader research activities related to space weather by universities. The formation of a Space Weather Economic Innovation Zone would: - encourage U.S. business investment in space weather services and products; - support U.S. business innovation in space weather services and products; - require U.S. government purchases of U.S. built commercial hardware, software, and associated products and services where no suitable government capability pre-exists; - promote U.S. built commercial hardware, software, and associated products and services to international partners; - designate U.S. built commercial hardware, services, and products as “Space Weather Economic Innovation Zone” activities; and - track U.S. built commercial hardware, services, and products as Space Weather Economic Innovation Zone contributions within agency reports. In 2015 HR1561 provided groundwork where social and environmental impacts from a Space Weather Economic Innovation Zone could be far-reaching. U.S. built commercial hardware, services, and products can prevent economic disruptions and loss-of-life from societal risks resulting from space weather and an innovation zone would encourage the research and investment needed for this success. In 2016, the Space Weather Research and Forecasting Act (S. 2817) would build on that legacy.