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Experts tell House panel cloud‑seeding effects are small and uncertain; liability, reporting gaps flagged
Summary
At a congressional hearing, witnesses told the House subcommittee cloud seeding can increase local precipitation in some studies but overall effectiveness is inconclusive; state programs operate with varied rules and members raised questions about reporting, environmental impacts and legal liability.
WASHINGTON — Cloud seeding and local weather‑modification programs drew sustained scrutiny Sept. 11, 2025, at a House Oversight and Reform subcommittee hearing where scientists, a meteorologist and lawmakers discussed technical limits, environmental concerns and legal exposure for operators.
Witnesses told the subcommittee that cloud seeding is distinct from proposed planetary‑scale geoengineering efforts and is practiced in multiple states but remains scientifically uncertain. "Cloud seeding...may affect rainfall locally from a cloud by up to 15%,” meteorologist Christopher Martz said in his oral testimony, while also summarizing peer‑reviewed studies that report a range of outcomes. Chair testimony and committee materials cited a GAO summary that places effectiveness in a broad 0–20% range.
Martz explained methods and materials used in cloud seeding:…
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