Rhode Island House Bill H7787

Rhode Island 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/3/22
• Refer: 3/3/22

Caption

The Clean Atmosphere Act

Impact

The enactment of H7787 is likely to have a significant impact on existing environmental regulations in Rhode Island. By establishing legally defined standards for weather modification and other atmospheric interventions, the bill aims to extend Rhode Island's climate efforts and ensure that local ecosystems and public health are secured. The bill mandates a public hearing process for any licensing application, which will include input from various stakeholders, thereby promoting public participation in environmental governance. Communities could see direct benefits from this bill as it promises to allocate fees collected from licensing into a state trust fund to support local environmental projects.

Summary

House Bill H7787, titled 'The Clean Atmosphere Act', aims to regulate atmospheric activities to ensure the safe use of Rhode Island's atmosphere for individuals, the environment, and agriculture. The bill introduces stringent licensing requirements for entities wishing to engage in atmospheric activities, positing that many of these activities can harm human health, safety, and the environment. It targets operations such as cloud-seeding and aerosol injections, imposing controls to prevent harmful consequences. The legislative intent is to curb atmospheric activities that compromise public health and safety, while asserting state rights to counteract perceived federal negligence in environmental health and safety matters.

Contention

Despite its intentions, H7787 has raised points of contention among lawmakers and stakeholders. Opponents argue that the stringent regulations could deter beneficial scientific research and climate interventions that could mitigate broader climate change effects. Additionally, critics have expressed concerns that increased governmental oversight may lead to bureaucratic delays in critical environmental initiatives. Supporters believe this framework is essential for protecting public health and the environment against potentially harmful atmospheric activities, highlighting a fundamental debate about regulation versus innovation in addressing climate challenges.