Missouri – Missouri lawmakers have proposed state law to prohibit the practice of “environmental manipulation,” a move aimed at curbing controversial weather modification techniques such as “cloud seeding” and harmful pollutants released into the atmosphere.

Under the newly proposed Section 260.1160 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo), the term “environmental manipulation” is defined as any process that alters the weather or atmosphere. This includes weather modification efforts aimed at altering precipitation patterns through substances released into the air, or the intentional deployment of pollutants and biological agents from aircraft to change the environment or potentially harm food supplies.

The proposed Senate Bill 15, explicitly bans all forms of environmental manipulation in the state. However, it does not interfere with the use of pesticides in farming or ranching operations, which are still allowed under existing agricultural exemptions.

The legislation also establishes a framework for civil liability. Individuals or entities found to be engaging in environmental manipulation will be held responsible for any resulting damages, including both actual damages and injunctive relief. This could include financial compensation to those affected by such activities.

Missouri now joins a growing number of states taking a more cautious approach to weather modification and atmospheric manipulation as debates continue over the potential impacts of such practices.

Paul Barnard Editor

Paul Barnard is the editor of the Twin City News. Barnard Graduated from Norwich University, America's oldest private military college, with a B.S. in Communications and Media Technology. There he studied journalism and marketing. For years after, Barnard was in law enforcement and gained experience in the Special Investigations Unit and publishing all the department's press releases. As Barnard's family grew, he moved on to start Twin City News.

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