US Congress : 2025-2026 Regular Session : BILL HB6941
Atmosphere Study Act
Sponsor: Rep Elijah Crane
Bill Details
To direct the Secretary of Energy to conduct a study to identify the effects of covered geoengineering projects on the health of humans and the environment, and for other purposes.
GeoLawWatch Bill Summary
This bill creates no prohibitions, penalties, or enforcement mechanisms. Instead, it establishes a study mandate with the following requirements: Study Requirement: The Secretary of Energy must conduct a study within 180 days of enactment, in conjunction with relevant federal or state agencies, to identify any negative effects of covered geoengineering projects on human health and the environment.
Reporting Requirement: Within one year of completing the study, the Secretary must submit a report to Congress on the results.
Scope of Study: The study covers only geoengineering projects that are either federally funded (in whole or in part) or involve federal agency participation (past or present). Private or purely state-funded projects fall outside this mandate.
Definition of Geoengineering: The bill defines geoengineering as "deliberate large-scale interventions in the Earth's climate system to diminish the effects of climate change," with specific examples including stratospheric aerosol injection, marine cloud brightening, and similar technologies as determined by the Secretary.
Notable Absence: The bill contains no regulatory framework, no prohibition on geoengineering activities, no funding authorization for the study, and no consequences for non-compliance with study deadlines.
History
HB 6941 was introduced on January 6, 2026, the opening day of the second session of the 119th Congress, by Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) and immediately referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The bill currently has no cosponsors and has seen no committee action.
The referral to Energy and Commerce is standard for legislation involving the Department of Energy's jurisdiction. As a study bill without appropriations or regulatory components, it faces relatively low procedural hurdles but also generates less urgency for committee scheduling. Federal bills of this type often languish in committee without hearings unless attached to larger legislative vehicles or given priority by committee leadership. The absence of cosponsors at introduction suggests this may be an individual member initiative rather than a coordinated legislative effort.
- Tue 06 Jan 2026 Introduced in House
- Tue 06 Jan 2026 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Consolidated Bill Text
119th Congress, 2d Session
H.R. 6941
To direct the Secretary of Energy to conduct a study to identify the effects of covered geoengineering projects on the health of humans and the environment, and for other purposes.
In the House of Representatives
January 6, 2026
Mr. Crane introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Energy to conduct a study to identify the effects of covered geoengineering projects on the health of humans and the environment, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the "Atmosphere Study Act".
SEC. 2. GEOENGINEERING STUDY.
(a) In General.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, in conjunction with any relevant Federal or State agencies, conduct a study to identify any negative effects of covered geoengineering projects on the health of humans and the environment.
(b) Report.—Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Secretary of Energy concludes the study required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Energy shall submit to Congress a report on the results of such study.
(c) Definitions.—In this section:
(1) Covered Geoengineering Project.—The term "covered geoengineering project" means a project—
(A) funded in full or in part by Federal funds; or
(B) that a Federal agency—
(i) may have participated in; or
(ii) is participating in.
(2) Geoengineering.—The term "geoengineering" means deliberate large-scale interventions in the Earth's climate system to diminish the effects of climate change, including—
(A) injecting metal-based aerosols into the atmosphere or releasing sulfate into the stratosphere to reflect sunlight away from the Earth and cool the surface of the Earth;
(B) spraying sea salt into low-lying marine clouds to enhance the brightness and reflectivity of such clouds; or
(C) any other similar technology, as determined by the Secretary.
(3) Secretary.—The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Energy.