South Dakota Senate Bill SB215

South Dakota 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/24
• Refer: 1/31/24

Caption

Prohibit the intentional release of polluting emissions into the atmosphere by cloud seeding, weather modification, excessive electromagnetic radio frequency and microwave radiation and providing enforcement and penalties for violations.

Impact

If passed, SB215 would empower state officials, including the Governor and county sheriffs, to take action against any detected violations. It outlines a framework for reporting suspected emissions, mandating the investigation of such incidents. There would be significant penalties for violations, including the potential for felony charges, and offenders could be fined up to five hundred thousand dollars. The law is designed to enable law enforcement to act swiftly upon observing potential violations related to atmospheric pollution, thereby enhancing accountability and promoting environmental protection.

Summary

Senate Bill 215 aims to prohibit the intentional release of polluting emissions into the atmosphere derived from various activities, specifically targeting weather modification techniques such as cloud seeding and stratospheric aerosol injection. This bill defines cloud seeding as the dispersal of chemicals into the atmosphere to affect precipitation patterns and regulates any form of atmospheric experimentation that could involve hazardous pollutants. The main thrust of the legislation is to safeguard the environment and public health by ensuring no harmful emissions are deliberately introduced into the atmosphere through these practices.

Contention

The bill has generated discussion about the balance between scientific experimentation for climate intervention and environmental safety. Supporters argue that such legislation is necessary to protect the public from the unknown consequences of atmospheric manipulation, highlighting the potential dangers associated with unauthorized implementations of technology that could lead to environmental and health risks. However, opponents may voice concerns that the bill could hinder legitimate research and technological advances aimed at addressing climate change and extreme weather conditions.