This bill establishes a comprehensive prohibition on all forms of weather modification within the United States, its territories, and possessions. It broadly defines weather modification to include geoengineering, cloud seeding, and solar radiation modification, encompassing any intentional alteration of the atmosphere's composition, behavior, or dynamics, or effects on temperature, weather, climate, or sunlight intensity. Violators face substantial penalties, including criminal fines up to $100,000 and up to five years imprisonment, as well as civil penalties of $10,000 per violation. To enforce this prohibition, the legislation directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to establish a public system for reporting suspected violations. The EPA is then required to investigate these reports, coordinating with various federal agencies as needed, and refer confirmed violations to the Attorney General for further action. Furthermore, the bill explicitly repeals all existing federal statutes, regulations, and executive orders that authorize or require weather modification activities, including any associated licensing or permit requirements.
This bill establishes a comprehensive prohibition on all forms of weather modification within the United States, its territories, and possessions. It broadly defines weather modification to include geoengineering, cloud seeding, and solar radiation modification, encompassing any intentional alteration of the atmosphere's composition, behavior, or dynamics, or effects on temperature, weather, climate, or sunlight intensity. Violators face substantial penalties, including criminal fines up to $100,000 and up to five years imprisonment, as well as civil penalties of $10,000 per violation. To enforce this prohibition, the legislation directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to establish a public system for reporting suspected violations. The EPA is then required to investigate these reports, coordinating with various federal agencies as needed, and refer confirmed violations to the Attorney General for further action. Furthermore, the bill explicitly repeals all existing federal statutes, regulations, and executive orders that authorize or require weather modification activities, including any associated licensing or permit requirements.