US House Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has announced a federal bill aimed at banning the use of ‘weather-altering chemicals’ as a felony offense, following a series of devastating weather events in Texas that led to at least 50 deaths and numerous missing persons. The bill, introduced by Greene, mirrors Florida’s Senate Bill 56, which was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis on June 20. This law imposes penalties of up to five years in prison and $100,000 in fines, along with reporting requirements from public airports and a state-run portal for residents to file complaints.
Greene’s proposal has been backed by her co-sponsor, Representative Tim Burchett, as she calls for an end to the ‘dangerous and deadly practice of weather modification and geoengineering.’ Her stance aligns with a broader political movement advocating for stricter regulations on scientific practices deemed potentially harmful or misleading. Greene’s previous remarks, which claimed that Democrats could control the weather, were met with criticism from former President Joe Biden, who labeled the comments as ‘beyond ridiculous’ and ‘reckless, irresponsible, and relentless promotion of disinformation and outright lies.’
Since the controversy surrounding Greene’s remarks, several states have taken similar actions, with Louisiana, Tennessee, and Florida being the latest to pass measures targeting weather modification. Critics of the bans highlight the limited research on the long-term impacts of practices like cloud seeding and emerging solar radiation modification, while some raise concerns about ‘chemtrails,’ a conspiracy theory suggesting aircraft release chemicals for weather control. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has denied any government-led weather manipulation programs, asserting that no current technology exists to influence large-scale weather events, despite ongoing public skepticism and debate.
As lawmakers continue to push for bans on weather modification, the debate highlights tensions between scientific research, public perception, and political agendas. The proposed legislation reflects a growing concern over the potential risks of geoengineering and the need for transparency and regulation in scientific practices. However, the lack of consensus on the existence and effects of weather modification remains a significant point of contention, with both advocates and skeptics presenting conflicting arguments and evidence.