Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) announced Saturday that she plans to introduce federal legislation banning weather modification techniques, including practices like cloud seeding and geoengineering.
“I am introducing a bill that prohibits the injection, release, or dispersion of chemicals or substances into the atmosphere for the express purpose of altering weather, temperature, climate, or sunlight intensity,” Greene wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “It will be a felony offense.”
Greene said she has been working with legislative counsel for months to craft the proposal, which she says is modeled on Florida’s Senate Bill 56, recently signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R). That measure imposes a $100,000 fine and up to five years in prison for unauthorized weather modification activities.
“We must end the dangerous and deadly practice of weather modification and geoengineering,” Greene added.
The bill targets technologies like cloud seeding, an 80-year-old practice that involves dispersing substances such as silver iodide into clouds to stimulate precipitation. While some states have used cloud seeding for water management, it’s rarely employed at the federal level.
Critics Say It’s Fueled by Conspiracy Theories
Greene’s proposal has already drawn criticism from experts and lawmakers who argue the bill stems from popular conspiracy theories about “chemtrails” and government weather control.
“People hear about chemtrail conspiracy theories, then learn cloud seeding is real, and they conflate the two,” said Mick West, a science writer and fellow at the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, speaking to 12News. “They put two and two together and get seventeen.”
Critics point out that cloud seeding is well-documented and considered safe by scientists and regulatory agencies. In contrast, conspiracy theories often confuse contrails—condensation trails from aircraft—with deliberate chemical releases, or “chemtrails.”
Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) mocked Greene’s announcement, writing on X:
“I’m introducing a bill that prohibits the injection, release, or dispersion of stupidity into Congress.”
Still, Greene found support from at least one fellow Republican.
“Let’s roll, Chairlady!” tweeted Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), signaling his backing.
Greene’s History With Weather Claims
Greene has previously drawn attention for controversial weather-related claims. In 2024, she suggested that Democrats had somehow “controlled the weather” during Hurricane Helene, a remark that prompted then-President Joe Biden to dismiss her comments as “irresponsible” and “beyond ridiculous.”
Greene’s office has not yet responded to further inquiries about the bill’s specifics or possible federal enforcement measures.
