Wyoming Proposes 10-Year Cloud Seeding Moratorium to Establish Precipitation Baseline

The Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources Committee of the Wyoming Legislature convened on August 28, 2025, to discuss significant legislative proposals regarding cloud seeding and geoengineering. The meeting focused on a draft bill aimed at establishing a moratorium on cloud seeding operations in the state.

The proposed legislation, titled the Wyoming Cloud Seeding Moratorium and Baseline Act, seeks to pause all cloud seeding activities for a period of ten years, starting July 1, 2026. This moratorium is intended to create a scientific baseline for precipitation and water resources, ensuring that future decisions regarding cloud seeding are informed by reliable data rather than assumptions.

Key provisions of the bill include the collection of baseline data on precipitation, snowpack, and stream flow during the moratorium. The bill mandates independent scientific studies conducted by the University of Wyoming, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), and other institutions to analyze the differences between years with and without cloud seeding. A preliminary report is expected by October 1, 2036, with a final report due by December 31, 2037.

The committee emphasized the importance of this approach to ensure that cloud seeding practices are based on sound scientific evidence. The discussions highlighted a growing concern over the environmental impacts of geoengineering techniques and the need for thorough research before proceeding with such operations.

As the committee moves forward, the implications of this proposed moratorium could significantly influence water resource management and agricultural practices in Wyoming, reflecting a cautious approach to emerging technologies in environmental management.