House Science Committee Chmn. Boehlert (R-N.Y.) said it was ‘espe...

House Science Committee Chmn. Boehlert (R-N.Y.) said it was “especially important today” to provide full funding for Advanced Technology Program (ATP) of National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST). ATP provides financial and technical support to R&D projects, not to product development, of various communications and high-tech industries. ATP would get $184.5 million under conference report (H.Rpt. 107-278) on FY 2002 Commerce, Justice and State Depts. appropriations bill (HR-2500) passed by House and Senate (CD Nov 19) last week. Sen. McCain (R-Ariz.), who cast lone vote against measure, described ATP as “welfare program for special corporate interests.” Boehlert said in extension of remarks that program was critical “in these difficult economic times, when the private sector is less willing to invest in new technology.” He said he was “disappointed” that conferees hadn’t included funding of NIST computer security and critical infrastructure protection programs as proposed in House report. Boehlert praised $200 million conference proposal for NOAA, which he said included sufficient funding of agency’s new polar satellite program, computer upgrades and National Weather Service supercomputers.