What exactly are the rules for the expand civilian economy tech cost?

[Nathan_ (OP)]

I've been replacing the database a few times and I've seen the starting level base cost of this tech jump around from 5K to 20k(original value I saw), to 40K to even 80k.

[Steve Walmsley]

I've been replacing the database a few times and I've seen the starting level base cost of this tech jump around from 5K to 20k(original value I saw), to 40K to even 80k.

Every time you research this tech, the cost doubles to research it again. If you are letting the game generate starting tech, it may generate one or more levels of this tech, which is why the cost of the first level you can research may vary from game to game.

Steve