(NextGov.com) The Quantum Network Infrastructure Act introduced by the House co-chairs of the National Labs Caucus Reps. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., and Bill Foster, D-Ill., would authorize $100 million to Energy’s Office of Science for fiscal years 2021 through 2025 to form and maintain the effort.
If passed, the bill would amend the National Quantum Initiative Act that President Trump signed in 2018—which lays out a plan to bolster the quantum field, research and associated technology applications—to establish what it deems an Energy Department-led “research, development, and demonstration program to accelerate innovation in quantum network infrastructure.”
The program the bill would set up would be formed based on insights the Energy Secretary would gather from officials across a range of other agencies’ and government organizations. Through it, the department would be expected to steer cooperative research with partners in national laboratories, industry, research and academic and research institutions on topics “to facilitate new quantum infrastructure methods and technologies.”
A four-year research plan spotlighting the pursuit and “basic research needs” would be due to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
The work the bill mandates would build on efforts already in-play.
The bill was referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on the day it was introduced.
House Bill Proposes Millions to Build U.S. Quantum Network Infrastructure
