Legislation Tracker

Introduced

Prohibiting geo-engineering

The purpose of this bill is to prohibit the injection, release, or dispersion, by any means, of chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus within the borders of this state into the atmosphere with the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of the sunlight

Bill summary (AI generated)

The proposed bill titled "Prohibiting geo-engineering" aims to ban the injection, release, or dispersion of any chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or devices into the atmosphere within the state with the intent of altering temperature, weather patterns, or sunlight intensity. If enacted, this legislation would impose a strict prohibition on geo-engineering practices, which are often discussed as potential solutions to climate change but raise significant environmental and ethical concerns. Under this bill, state authorities would be responsible for ensuring compliance and enforcing the prohibition. This could involve monitoring activities that might involve geo-engineering techniques and imposing penalties for violations. The law would be designed to protect the environment and public health from the unintended consequences that could arise from manipulating atmospheric conditions. You can expect that public discussions and scientific evaluations about the efficacy and impacts of geo-engineering would be influenced by this legislative framework. In addition, the bill reflects a growing trend among some lawmakers to regulate or restrict interventions in natural systems, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of the ecological impacts of such technologies. It also suggests that stakeholders in environmental policy and climate action may need to address geo-engineering discussions with caution, ensuring that any potential solutions to climate issues do not compromise ecological integrity or public safety. Overall, this bill, if passed, would add a layer of regulatory oversight surrounding the controversial field of geo-engineering.

History

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Fri 21 Feb 2025 Filed for introduction
Fri 21 Feb 2025 To Energy and Public Works then Judiciary
Fri 21 Feb 2025 Introduced in House
Fri 21 Feb 2025 To House Energy and Public Works

Bill text html

WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2025 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

House Bill 2758

By Delegates Ridenour, Martin, Ward, Butler, Mallow, Roop, Jennings, Phillips, Maynor, Kump, and Kimble

[Introduced February 21, 2025; referred to the Committee on Energy and Public Works then the Judiciary]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §22-5-21, relating to prohibiting the injection, release, or dispersion, by any means, of chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus within the borders of this state into the atmosphere with the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of the sunlight.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 5. AIR POLLUTION CONTROL.

§22-5-21. Prohibiting dispersion of chemicals or apparatus into the atmosphere to intentionally affect temperature, weather, or the intensity of sunlight.

(a) The Legislature finds that:

(1) It is documented that the federal government or other entities acting on the federal government's behalf or at the federal government's request, or non-government entities may conduct geoengineering experiments by intentionally dispersing chemicals into the atmosphere, and those activities may occur within the state of West Virginia;

(2) The risk to human health and environmental welfare from broad scale geoengineering is currently not well understood;

(3) The West Virginia Department of Environment Protection is responsible for monitoring air, soil, and water quality, and regulating industrial and agricultural emissions into the air, soil, and water within the state to ensure the safety of the public, while not impeding agriculture or commerce within the state; and

(4) It is the intent of the Legislature to protect the public health and welfare of West Virginians while allowing all authorized activities permitted under state law.

(b) The intentional injection, release, or dispersion, by any means, of chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus within the borders of this state into the atmosphere with the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of the sunlight is prohibited.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to prohibit the injection, release, or dispersion, by any means, of chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus within the borders of this state into the atmosphere with the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of the sunlight

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.