NOAA announces RFI to unleash power of 'big data'

Press Release: “Today, NOAA, part of the Department of Commerce, announced a new effort to unleash the power of its data to foster innovation, create new industries and job opportunities, and spur economic growth. NOAA, through a Request for Information, is looking to the private industry to help make NOAA’s data available in a rapid, scalable manner to the public.  Of the 20 terabytes of data NOAA gathers each day — twice the data of the entire printed collection of the United States Library of Congress — only a small percentage is easily accessible to the public. Through the RFI, American companies will be able to provide possible solutions for NOAA to be able to turn this untapped information into usable products or services.  ”From the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean floor, NOAA works to keep citizens informed about the changing environment around them,” said Kathryn Sullivan, Ph.D., acting NOAA administrator. “Our vast network of radars, satellites, buoys, ships, aircraft, tide gauges, and supercomputers keep tabs on the condition of our planet’s health and provides critical information that’s used to predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coastlines. As we continue to witness changes on this dynamic planet we call home, the demand for NOAA’s data is only increasing….More information about the RFI, including how to participate can be found here.”