Clear Skies Act

Key Points

• This bill would make it illegal to try to change the weather or climate in the United States. It specifically bans activities like cloud seeding, which is used to create rain, and geoengineering, which is meant to cool the Earth by reflecting sunlight.
• People or companies caught trying to modify the weather could face serious consequences. This includes fines of up to $100,000 and up to five years in prison for each violation. The EPA could also charge an extra $10,000 civil penalty for every time someone releases substances into the air to change the weather.
• The government would set up a new system where the public can report suspected weather modification activities. The EPA would be required to investigate these reports and post them on their website for everyone to see. They would also work with other agencies like the FAA to verify what is happening in the sky.
• If passed, this law would cancel any existing permits or rules that currently allow for weather modification. This would stop ongoing projects that use chemicals or other substances in the air to influence the temperature or rainfall. The ban would take effect 90 days after the bill becomes law.

Impact Analysis

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