Researchers hope high-speed network gets money it needs

Science researchers are following the progress of a proposed $3 million federal earmark that Congress may soon consider to extend a regional high-speed computing network between Boise and Richland.

It’s been about 18 months since a similar connection — the first leg of what’s called the Northwest Teralink network — was established between Seattle and Richland, said Jerry Johnson, chief information officer for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

The fiber-optic network would be part of the larger Pacific Northwest Gigapop network, anchored at the University of Washington. The next leg of Teralink, between Seattle and Spokane, is expected to be running by January.

Johnson said network proponents have asked for $3 million from the federal government.

Sen. Maria Cantwell was able to get a placeholder — without a specific amount — for the request included in the Commerce Justice and Science appropriations bill for fiscal year 2007 being considered in the Senate. The House of Representatives’ version of the bill does not have the placeholder.

The idea is that if the bill is approved, an amount could be discussed and agreed on when the Senate and House resolved any differences between their respective bills. That could happen soon, but most likely would be this fall.

Proponents, however, are optimistic after Congress previously gave $2.5 million for the network.

By Nathan Isaacs, Herald staff writer

Full Story: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/business/story/8054989p-7948055c.html

(Thanks to Bill Sellers for passing this along. Russ)