Defeated (ONTP adopted)
Maine : 2025-2026 Regular Session : BILL LD825
An Act to Prohibit Geoengineering, Including the Use of Cloud Seeding, Weather Modification, Excessive Radio Waves and Microwave Radiation
Sponsor: Sen Russell Black & Rep Randall Greenwood
Bill Details
An Act to Prohibit Geoengineering, Including the Use of Cloud Seeding, Weather Modification, Excessive Radio Waves and Microwave Radiation
Bill summary (AI generated)
Laws Introduced This bill proposed a broader prohibition on geoengineering than LD499, expanding the definition of "geoengineering" to include "excessive electromagnetic, radio frequency or microwave radiation emissions" and "harmful nuclear, biological or chemical emissions". • Specific Limits: It attempted to set specific legal thresholds for emissions, such as magnetic fields in excess of one milligauss, laser lights, and "dirty electricity" in wiring. • Federal Interventions: The bill required the state to issue notices to the Federal Government or other nations prohibiting them from engaging in atmospheric activities above Maine,. Enforcement and Penalties • Agency: The DEP was charged with investigation and enforcement, including a mandate to post information on its website encouraging the public to monitor and report incidents,. • Penalties: Violation of this act would constitute a Class C crime. • Fines: Offenders would be subject to a fine of $500,000 for each day the violation continued.
History
The bill, titled "An Act to Prohibit Geoengineering, Including the Use of Cloud Seeding, Weather Modification, Excessive Radio Waves and Microwave Radiation" (LD825), was introduced and referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources in March 2025. After some discussions and a work session, the committee issued a divided report recommending that the bill should not pass. On May 14, 2025, the recommendation was accepted by the legislature, resulting in the bill being placed in the legislative files, which means it is considered dead and will not proceed further. As the bill has failed, there are no further steps to take, and it will not be revisited in this legislative session unless a new bill addressing similar issues is introduced in the future.
- Tue 04 Mar 2025 Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence
- Tue 04 Mar 2025 The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.
- Tue 04 Mar 2025 In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Wed 19 Mar 2025 Work Session Held
- Wed 19 Mar 2025 Voted: Divided Report
- Fri 21 Mar 2025 CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.
- Fri 09 May 2025 Reported Out: ONTP/OTP-AM
- Tue 13 May 2025 Reports READ
- Tue 13 May 2025 On motion by Senator TEPLER of Sagadahoc The Majority Ought Not To Pass
- Tue 13 May 2025 Report ACCEPTED
- Tue 13 May 2025 Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence
- Wed 14 May 2025 Reports READ.
- Wed 14 May 2025 On motion of Representative MOONEN of Portland, the Majority Ought Not to Pass Report was ACCEPTED.
- Wed 14 May 2025 ROLL CALL NO. 135 (Yeas 83 - Nays 58 - Absent 9 - Excused 0 - Restricted - 1)
- Wed 14 May 2025 In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Wed 14 May 2025 Placed in the Legislative Files. (DEAD)
Bill text (Transcribed)
Maine : 2025-2026 Regular Session : BILL LD825
An Act to Prohibit Geoengineering, Including the Use of Cloud Seeding, Weather Modification, Excessive Radio Waves and Microwave Radiation
FIRST REGULAR SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 825
S.P. 345 In Senate, March 4, 2025
An Act to Prohibit Geoengineering, Including the Use of Cloud Seeding, Weather Modification, Excessive Radio Waves and Microwave Radiation
Reference to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources suggested and ordered
Presented by Senator BLACK of Franklin. (BY REQUEST)
Cosponsored by Representative GREENWOOD of Wales.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §579-A is enacted to read:
§579-A. Geoengineering prohibited
1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
A. "Excessive electromagnetic, radio frequency or microwave radiation emissions" means:
With respect to electromagnetic emissions:
A low-frequency alternating current electric field in excess of one volt per meter;
A magnetic field in excess of one milligauss;
So-called dirty electricity caused by transients in electrical wiring that must be filtered for safety;
Ionizing radiation in excess of 0.02 millisievert per hour;
A laser or other light with harmful effects; or
Any vibration, noise, sound amplification by stimulated emissions radiation, sonic weapon or other physical agent exceeding established guidelines or standards; and
With respect to radio frequency or microwave radiation emissions, emissions of a signal strength in excess of -85 decibel-milliwatt for any frequency or channel band specified by a transmitting entity's transmission license.
B. "Geoengineering" means any intentional, large-scale intervention in Earth's natural systems, including, but not limited to, stratospheric aerosol injection; weather modification techniques; excessive electromagnetic, radio frequency or microwave radiation emissions; harmful nuclear, biological or chemical emissions; or other polluting atmospheric activity.
C. "Harmful nuclear, biological or chemical emissions" means any nuclear, biological or chemical emission that is xenobiotic and would otherwise not exist in the natural environment or that is otherwise found at xenobiotic levels or levels beyond the limit allowed under state or federal law.
D. "Solar radiation management" means any technique designed to reflect a portion of the sun's radiation back into space.
E. "Stratospheric aerosol injection" means the release of reflective sulfate or other aerosol particles into the stratosphere by high-altitude planes or blimps, tethered balloons, artillery or other means for the purpose of solar radiation management.
F. "Weather modification technique" means any technique designed to alter or attempt to alter Earth's natural weather patterns, including, but not limited to, cloud seeding.
2. Prohibition. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a person may not engage in any activity that constitutes or involves geoengineering.
3. Enforcement; investigations; violations. The department shall enforce the prohibition in this section. If the department discovers or is otherwise made aware of an activity that may constitute or involve geoengineering, the department shall immediately initiate appropriate investigative measures to determine whether a violation of this section is occurring or has occurred and shall issue to any person engaging in the activity a notice directing the person to cease all such activity that may be occurring in violation of this section.
Notwithstanding section 349, Title 17-A, section 1704, subsection 3 or any other provision of law to the contrary, a person that violates this section commits a Class C crime and is subject to a fine of $500,000 for each day the violation continues and any other applicable penalties under this Title or other provision of law or rule.
4. Activities involving Federal Government or other state or country. If the department determines that an activity that constitutes or involves geoengineering occurring or that had occurred within the State involves, directly or indirectly, the Federal Government, another state or another country, the department shall issue to the Federal Government or other state or country a notice that:
A. The activity is prohibited by law from occurring in or above the State; and
B. The Federal Government or other state or country is prohibited from engaging in any future atmospheric activities in or above the State, regardless of whether such activities involve or constitute geoengineering.
5. Reporting of violations. The department shall post on its publicly accessible website information regarding the prohibition under this section and encouraging the public to monitor, measure, document and report to the department incidents that may constitute or involve geoengineering. Upon receipt of any such report, the department shall immediately initiate appropriate investigative measures to determine whether a violation of this section is occurring or has occurred.
SUMMARY
This bill prohibits a person from engaging in any activity that constitutes or involves geoengineering. "Geoengineering" is defined in the bill as any intentional, large-scale intervention in Earth's natural systems and includes stratospheric aerosol injection; weather modification techniques; excessive electromagnetic, radio frequency or microwave radiation emissions; harmful nuclear, biological or chemical emissions; or other polluting atmospheric activity. The Department of Environmental Protection is charged with enforcing the prohibition, and a person that violates the prohibition commits a Class C crime and is subject to a fine of $500,000 for each day the violation continues and any other applicable penalties under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 38 or other provision of law or rule.
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement
Potential future biennium revenue increase - General Fund
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund:
• FY 2025–26: $217,316
• FY 2026–27: $233,189
• FY 2027–28 (projection): $237,167
• FY 2028–29 (projection): $246,741
Appropriations / Allocations
General Fund:
• FY 2025–26: $217,316
• FY 2026–27: $233,189
• FY 2027–28 (projection): $237,167
• FY 2028–29 (projection): $246,741
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements
The additional workload associated with the minimal number of new felony cases filed in the court system does not require additional funding at this time. The collection of additional fines has the potential to increase future General Fund or other dedicated revenue.
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill prohibits activities that constitute or involve geoengineering and requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to enforce the prohibition. The DEP has indicated that the additional compliance, investigatory, and outreach efforts needed cannot be absorbed within existing staffing and would require additional resources. The DEP would require ongoing General Fund appropriations of $217,316 beginning in fiscal year 2025-26 for one Environmental Specialist III position, one Senior Meteorologist position, and associated position costs.
An Act to Prohibit Geoengineering, Including the Use of Cloud Seeding, Weather Modification, Excessive Radio Waves and Microwave Radiation
FIRST REGULAR SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 825
S.P. 345 In Senate, March 4, 2025
An Act to Prohibit Geoengineering, Including the Use of Cloud Seeding, Weather Modification, Excessive Radio Waves and Microwave Radiation
Reference to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources suggested and ordered
Presented by Senator BLACK of Franklin. (BY REQUEST)
Cosponsored by Representative GREENWOOD of Wales.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §579-A is enacted to read:
§579-A. Geoengineering prohibited
1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
A. "Excessive electromagnetic, radio frequency or microwave radiation emissions" means:
With respect to electromagnetic emissions:
A low-frequency alternating current electric field in excess of one volt per meter;
A magnetic field in excess of one milligauss;
So-called dirty electricity caused by transients in electrical wiring that must be filtered for safety;
Ionizing radiation in excess of 0.02 millisievert per hour;
A laser or other light with harmful effects; or
Any vibration, noise, sound amplification by stimulated emissions radiation, sonic weapon or other physical agent exceeding established guidelines or standards; and
With respect to radio frequency or microwave radiation emissions, emissions of a signal strength in excess of -85 decibel-milliwatt for any frequency or channel band specified by a transmitting entity's transmission license.
B. "Geoengineering" means any intentional, large-scale intervention in Earth's natural systems, including, but not limited to, stratospheric aerosol injection; weather modification techniques; excessive electromagnetic, radio frequency or microwave radiation emissions; harmful nuclear, biological or chemical emissions; or other polluting atmospheric activity.
C. "Harmful nuclear, biological or chemical emissions" means any nuclear, biological or chemical emission that is xenobiotic and would otherwise not exist in the natural environment or that is otherwise found at xenobiotic levels or levels beyond the limit allowed under state or federal law.
D. "Solar radiation management" means any technique designed to reflect a portion of the sun's radiation back into space.
E. "Stratospheric aerosol injection" means the release of reflective sulfate or other aerosol particles into the stratosphere by high-altitude planes or blimps, tethered balloons, artillery or other means for the purpose of solar radiation management.
F. "Weather modification technique" means any technique designed to alter or attempt to alter Earth's natural weather patterns, including, but not limited to, cloud seeding.
2. Prohibition. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a person may not engage in any activity that constitutes or involves geoengineering.
3. Enforcement; investigations; violations. The department shall enforce the prohibition in this section. If the department discovers or is otherwise made aware of an activity that may constitute or involve geoengineering, the department shall immediately initiate appropriate investigative measures to determine whether a violation of this section is occurring or has occurred and shall issue to any person engaging in the activity a notice directing the person to cease all such activity that may be occurring in violation of this section.
Notwithstanding section 349, Title 17-A, section 1704, subsection 3 or any other provision of law to the contrary, a person that violates this section commits a Class C crime and is subject to a fine of $500,000 for each day the violation continues and any other applicable penalties under this Title or other provision of law or rule.
4. Activities involving Federal Government or other state or country. If the department determines that an activity that constitutes or involves geoengineering occurring or that had occurred within the State involves, directly or indirectly, the Federal Government, another state or another country, the department shall issue to the Federal Government or other state or country a notice that:
A. The activity is prohibited by law from occurring in or above the State; and
B. The Federal Government or other state or country is prohibited from engaging in any future atmospheric activities in or above the State, regardless of whether such activities involve or constitute geoengineering.
5. Reporting of violations. The department shall post on its publicly accessible website information regarding the prohibition under this section and encouraging the public to monitor, measure, document and report to the department incidents that may constitute or involve geoengineering. Upon receipt of any such report, the department shall immediately initiate appropriate investigative measures to determine whether a violation of this section is occurring or has occurred.
SUMMARY
This bill prohibits a person from engaging in any activity that constitutes or involves geoengineering. "Geoengineering" is defined in the bill as any intentional, large-scale intervention in Earth's natural systems and includes stratospheric aerosol injection; weather modification techniques; excessive electromagnetic, radio frequency or microwave radiation emissions; harmful nuclear, biological or chemical emissions; or other polluting atmospheric activity. The Department of Environmental Protection is charged with enforcing the prohibition, and a person that violates the prohibition commits a Class C crime and is subject to a fine of $500,000 for each day the violation continues and any other applicable penalties under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 38 or other provision of law or rule.
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement
Potential future biennium revenue increase - General Fund
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund:
• FY 2025–26: $217,316
• FY 2026–27: $233,189
• FY 2027–28 (projection): $237,167
• FY 2028–29 (projection): $246,741
Appropriations / Allocations
General Fund:
• FY 2025–26: $217,316
• FY 2026–27: $233,189
• FY 2027–28 (projection): $237,167
• FY 2028–29 (projection): $246,741
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements
The additional workload associated with the minimal number of new felony cases filed in the court system does not require additional funding at this time. The collection of additional fines has the potential to increase future General Fund or other dedicated revenue.
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill prohibits activities that constitute or involve geoengineering and requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to enforce the prohibition. The DEP has indicated that the additional compliance, investigatory, and outreach efforts needed cannot be absorbed within existing staffing and would require additional resources. The DEP would require ongoing General Fund appropriations of $217,316 beginning in fiscal year 2025-26 for one Environmental Specialist III position, one Senior Meteorologist position, and associated position costs.