Clean Air Preservation Act - Senator Mastriano

Introduction

The problem:

For many years, people in my community have reached out to me about protecting the air we breathe. More and more, people are hearing about experiments called geoengineering. These include programs like Solar Radiation Modification (SRM), Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI), and other ways to block sunlight from reaching Earth. The federal government, private groups, and even some foreign governments have suggested or carried out these programs.

SRM activities involve purposely adding pollution to the air, which is dangerous and goes against Pennsylvania Constitution’s promise to protect clean air.

More people are speaking up against geoengineering, weather control, and new monitoring technologies. These activities can harm the environment, threaten people’s health, and invade privacy. But many of these atmospheric experiments are happening without the public knowing or agreeing to them.

Right now, most of the rules about these fast-changing technologies are being made by international groups and big companies. They are ignoring the rights we have under federal and state laws. Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) involves releasing harmful pollution, in violation of Pennsylvania’s Constitution, which clearly protects our rights to clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment. I am committed to standing up for these rights for everyone in our state.

The evidence:

Official documents show that the U.S. government and others have been interested in changing the weather and climate for decades. The goal was to help predict weather and try to reduce damage from storms. In addition, weather modification can also be used as a weapon.

One common experiment is called cloud seeding. This involves trying to change how much rain or snow falls by spreading chemicals like dry ice, silver iodide, or trimethyl aluminum into the air. Planes or machines on the ground release these chemicals. A 2024 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) says cloud seeding has been going on for 80 years, mostly in western states like California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.

Even in the 1960s, lawmakers in Pennsylvania noticed weather modification and made rules to control it. Today, weather experiments still happen outside of laboratories using tools on the ground, in the air, and even in space, to track what’s happening in the atmosphere. Many experts have called for a ban on outdoor geoengineering experiments, but elected state lawmakers have mostly been left out of these talks—until now.

The solution:

SB508, called The Clean Air Preservation Act, would prohibit geoengineering, solar radiation modification (SRM), cloud seeding, and other weather experiments or interventions that release pollution into the air.

This bill would make outdoor geoengineering activities a crime. Anyone who violates the law by interfering with Pennsylvania’s natural weather would be held accountable. SB 508 would protect the environment, people’s health, and safety, by disallowing polluting atmospheric experimentation. It could also inspire other states to pass similar protections.

Most importantly, SB508, The Clean Air Preservation Act, ensures Pennsylvanians keep the clean air, water, and healthy environment that our state Constitution guarantees.

Summary

Senate Bill 508 would:

✔ Prohibit in Pennsylvania through geoengineering, solar radiation modification (SRM) or sunlight reflection methods, cloud seeding and other atmospheric interventions

✔ Assure Pennsylvanians the clean air guaranteed to them in the Pennsylvania Constitution – Article 1, Section 27

✔ Prohibit atmospheric experiments involving the release of pollutants into the atmosphere

✔ Prohibit default consent for SRM or other polluting atmospheric experimentation

Why Is This Bill Needed?

At its core, SB508 is about protecting the health and safety of Pennsylvanians by upholding the environmental rights guaranteed in our state constitution. Pennsylvania is one of only four states that recognizes the right to a clean and safe environment as a fundamental constitutional right—on par with freedom of speech. Does it pollute our air? Then it is not allowed. It really is that simple. It states clearly we, the people of Pennsylvania, do not consent!

As a legislator, it is my duty to ensure the rights of people are protected and not undermined. SB508 provides a clear legal framework to prohibit polluting atmospheric experimentation, interoperable systems, and to establish mechanisms for detection and enforcement.

While Pennsylvania law already addresses traditional forms of pollution, it does not yet cover geoengineering, weather modification and the advanced technological systems involved in these endeavors—which are progressing rapidly without proper public oversightand informed consent.

Failing to act would be both reckless and irresponsible. Fortunately, Pennsylvania is not alone in recognizing the urgency of this matter. More than 30 states, led by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, are considering or have already passed legislation similar to the Clean Air Preservation Act. Clean air and environmental protection must remain nonpartisan priorities.

Without a law like SB508, Pennsylvanians have no legal recourse when they are exposed to these experimental technologies and/or atmospheric interventions conducted without their informed consent.

Geoengineering, weather manipulation cloud seeding, and other experiments are controversial methods of climate or weather intervention that aim to modify the environment. Informed consent and willing participation are basic principles of research ethics and our individual rights in the United States of America.

Conclusion:

Without a law like SB508, SRM and other polluting atmospheric experiments will continue.

Resources

Federal Government

Congressionally Mandated Research Plan and an Initial Research Governance Framework Related to Solar Radiation Management

GAO-25-107328, Cloud Seeding Technology: Assessing Effectiveness and Other Challenges

Make Sunsets EPA Notification

https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2025-04/25-03703-oar-pacs_signed-final-response_luke-iseman_25-03703-oar_signed.pdf

https://library.oarcloud.noaa.gov/noaa_documents.lib/OAR/OWAQ/Weather_Modification_Project/FY23/Q2/2023wmainitial.pdf

Solar Geoengineering Start Up Stardust – SAI

https://www.wired.com/story/a-mysterious-startup-is-developing-a-new-form-of-solar-geoengineering

UK Guardian Outdoor Geoengineering Field Experiments

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/22/uk-scientists-outdoor-geoengineering-experiments

NY Times UK To Fund Outdoor Geoengineering Tests

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/13/climate/united-kingdom-geoengineering-research.html

At war over geoengineering | Geoengineering | The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/feb/09/at-war-over-geoengineering

Global Precipitation Experiment UN World Climate Research Program

https://www.wcrp-climate.org/gpex-overview

GGF2025_Geoengineering_Final_Report.pdf

https://www.ggfutures.net/uploads/attachments/GGF2025_Geoengineering_Final_Report.pdf

PFAS / Chaff

https://cswab.org/does-u-s-military-chaff-contain-pfas/

Address to the United Nations General Assembly | JFK Library

https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/historic-speeches/address-to-the-united-nations-general-assembly

The International Telecommunication Union: The Most Important UN Agency You Have Never Heard Of

https://www.csis.org/analysis/international-telecommunication-union-most-important-un-agency-you-have-never-heard

How ITU and WMO coordinate to help optimize critical weather services – ITU

https://www.itu.int/hub/2020/05/how-itu-and-wmo-coordinate-to-help-optimize-critical-weather-services/

United States Patents S20140145002.pdf

https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pdfs/US20140145002.pdf

United States Patent Images 1499082630395840660-09087451

https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/6c/7b/90/f2e0d9d4cbd6b1/US9087451.pdf

The UN agency for digital technologies, Member State Entities Directory – ITU

https://www.itu.int/hub/membership/our-members/directory/?myitu-members-states=true&request=organisations&id=1000100445

Global Climate Observing System Lead Centers for GCOS

https://gcos.wmo.int/site/global-climate-observing-system-gcos/cooperation/lead-centres-gcos

WMO Radar Database

https://wrd.mgm.gov.tr/Home/Wrd

National_GCOS_Coordinators_2025_1.pdf

https://wmo.int/sites/default/files/2025-04/National_GCOS_Coordinators_2025_1.pdf

CLIMATE CONTROL

https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP78-03425A002100020014-2.pdf

Reflecting on 50 years of geoengineering research – Caldeira – 2017 – Earth’s Future – Wiley Online Library

https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/2016EF000454

Seventh Annual Report on Weather Modification

https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA319117.pdf

Effects of microwave radiation on brain energy metabolism and related mechanisms | Military Medical Research | Full Text

https://mmrjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40779-015-0033-6

CED-78-79 Efforts by the Environmental Protection Agency To Protect the Public from Environmental Nonionizing Radiation Exposures

https://www.gao.gov/assets/ced-78-79.pdf

Claim Vs. Fact

Claim: These are just some conspiracy theories without any evidence that weather modification, geo engineering or cloud seeding are effecting our air.

Facts: It is not a conspiracy, but facts and research prove that various atmospheric experiments and interventions are being conducted at state, national, and international levels. Cloud seeding is not a myth—it is a real, scientifically based weather modification technique that has been studied and used around the world since the mid-20th century. However, the extent of its effectiveness, and the concerns surrounding it, are what often fuel confusion or myths.

Historical Facts

First experiments: Conducted in 1946 by Vincent Schaefer and Bernard Vonnegut at General Electric.
Used in warfare: During the Vietnam War, the U.S. military used cloud seeding (Project Popeye) to extend the monsoon season and disrupt enemy supply routes.

🌍 Current Global Usage

Over 50 countries use cloud seeding, including:
- China – large-scale programs for drought relief and event management (e.g., clearing skies before the 2008 Olympics).
- UAE – invests heavily in rain enhancement due to arid climate.
- United States – programs in states like California, Colorado, and Texas for drought management and snowpack enhancement.
- India – various states use it to manage monsoon irregularities.

📜 Historical Background

1960s Controversy: In the 1960s, the Blue Ridge Weather Modification Association conducted unauthorized cloud seeding in Fulton and Franklin counties to suppress hail. This led to public complaints, with farmers alleging that the seeding caused droughts.
1967 Legislation: In response to these concerns, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed the Weather Modification – Regulating Rain Making Act, creating a Weather Modification Board within the Department of Agriculture. This law required anyone wishing to conduct cloud seeding to obtain a license. However, the board has never received a license application and has not investigated any unauthorized cloud seeding activities. (Senator Mastriano)

Public Concerns: There has been growing public concern over weather modification practices. A petition initiated in Erie, PA, calls for halting cloud seeding and chemtrail dispersal, citing potential health risks and environmental impacts. (Change.org)

Claim: Geoengineering, cloud seeding, and weather modification are just harmless climate control or weather mitigation techniques.

Facts: Geoengineering, weather manipulation, and cloud seeding are controversial methods of climate or weather intervention that aim to modify the environment. While proponents argue they could mitigate climate change or droughts, these techniques come with significant potential negative impacts and dangers, both scientifically and ethically.

News/Know about Senator’s other Legislation

Bills Sponsored By Senator Doug Mastriano | 2025-2026 Regular Session – The Official Website of the Pennsylvania General Assembly

Contact/Connect

Contact committee members with any comments, concerns, questions, etc.: Committee Members – Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this legislation, please feel free to contact my Legislative Director, Aaron Bashir, or my Chief of Staff, Donald Beishl.

Connect with Sen. Mastriano: www.senatormastriano.com

Click here to sign up for the
senator’s E-Newsletter

Harrisburg Office, Phone: (717) 787-4651

Chambersburg Office, Phone: (717) 264-6100

Gettysburg Office, Phone: (717) 334-4169