Washington is full of science-policy wonks who bemoan the loss of the Office of Technology Assessment, which between 1972 and 1995 was the go-to place for smart independent advice for policymakers on science and technology topics. Fortunately, OTA junkies now have an online fix for all their needs.

The Federation of American Scientists has launched a new site organizing all 720 reports put out by the OTA during its lifetime (which ended when Congressional Republicans took it out following the 1994 elections). Most of this material has been online before, at Princeton University’s OTA archive, but they are more searchable and better organized at the FAS page. The new site is also promising a future ‘Document of the Day’ feature, highlighting material not previously available to the public.

Rush Holt, the New Jersey Congressman who has been spearheading a recent drive to reinstate the OTA, is featured in a video clip. And really, what screams YouTube more than a Washington politician talking about an advisory office that closed more than a decade ago?

Seriously, it can be fun to root around in these documents, learning about everything from osteoporosis to how to dispose of chemical weapons. The site has gotten just a bit of play so far in the blogosphere, primarily from my new personal favorite The Science Cheerleader (Rooting 4 Teamwork in Science!) who has a Science Progress piece here.

Image: GPO