Interesting, seems quite steep.

Does the extension also cost 100k?

I don't know the statutory authority under which this is being done, if this is true it will come out in the next few days.

I would have preferred a simple auction, seems like the most reasonable solution.

Later reporting is saying that it will be 100k / year. If so that's quite substantial.

That will make the program non-viable for a large percentage of the people who use it today.

I suspect that the o1 visa would get far more use if this change were enacted.

It seems to high. Again: why not make it an auction?