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Hearing on bill to ban geoengineering pits public-health concerns against cloud-seeding and snowmaking interests
Summary
Sen. Bob Phelan introduced SB 473 to prohibit geoengineering in Montana. Supporters described alleged aerosol spraying and local health and environmental harms; opponents said the bill confuses "geoengineering" with cloud seeding and snowmaking, and warned an overly broad ban would remove tools used to augment snowpack and water supply. DNRC and
Sen. Bob Phelan opened a hearing on Senate Bill 473, which would prohibit certain forms of geoengineering in Montana. Proponents described suspected atmospheric aerosol operations and urged a statutory ban; opponents — including the ski industry, agricultural and water-rights groups and DNRC — said the bill as drafted would curtail cloud seeding and operational snowmaking and hamper drought-response tools.
Phelan read the state constitutional provision on environmental protection and said he is introducing the bill to prohibit geoengineering in Montana. "This is why we are to ban the geoengineering over the state of Montana," he said during opening remarks.
Proponents who spoke in favor included Robin Richardson, who described concerns about heavy metals and "aerosolized aluminum and barium compounds" settling into soil and water; Anne Hallowell, who told the committee she had evidence she said showed federal programs or international actions; and multiple residents who testified they had observed persistent streaks or grids of aircraft trails and…
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