West Virginia : 2025 Regular Session : BILL HB2758
Prohibiting geo-engineering
Sponsor: Rep Bill Ridenour & Rep Carl Martin & Rep Bryan Ward & Rep Jim Butler & Rep Phil Mallow & Rep Carl Roop & Rep Roland Jennings & Rep Chris Phillips & Rep Jordan Maynor & Rep Larry Kump & Rep Laura Kimble
Bill Details
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)
House Bill 2758 was introduced in the West Virginia House on February 21, 2025, and referred to the House Energy and Public Works Committee. The primary purpose of this bill is to amend the Code of West Virginia to prohibit geoengineering activities. Specifically, the bill seeks to add a new section, §22-5-21, relating to Air Pollution Control. HB2758 prohibits the intentional injection, release, or dispersion, by any means, of chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus within the borders of West Virginia into the atmosphere. This prohibition applies when the actions are performed with the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of the sunlight. The Legislature stated findings that include documentation that federal, or other non-government, entities may conduct geoengineering experiments within the state by intentionally dispersing chemicals into the atmosphere. The bill also finds that the risk to human health and environmental welfare from broad-scale geoengineering is currently not well understood. If passed, the act is slated to take effect within 30 days.
History
The bill was filed for introduction on February 21, 2025, and was subsequently assigned to the House committees for Energy and Public Works and Judiciary. It has been introduced in the House and referred to the Energy and Public Works Committee for further consideration. Currently, the next steps involve discussions and potential votes within these committees. The bill is still active, and its future will depend on these further legislative proceedings.
- 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 (Transcribed)
West Virginia : 2025 Regular Session : BILL HB2758
Prohibiting geo-engineering
WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE
2025 REGULAR SESSION
Introduced
House Bill 2758
By Delegates Ridenour, Martin, Ward, Butler, Mallow, Roop, Jennings, Phillips, Maynor, Kump, and Kimble
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.
(c) This act takes effect within 30 days of passage.
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
Prohibiting geo-engineering
WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE
2025 REGULAR SESSION
Introduced
House Bill 2758
By Delegates Ridenour, Martin, Ward, Butler, Mallow, Roop, Jennings, Phillips, Maynor, Kump, and Kimble
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.
(c) This act takes effect within 30 days of passage.
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