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The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
Lawmakers have introduced a second bill outlawing weather modification within the state after the Tennessee General Assembly passed similar legislation last year.
Representative Chris Todd (R-Madison County-District 73) is the sponsor for House Bill 0899 (HB0899) which would make certain weather modification activities conducted by a weather-related company a violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977.
Last year’s legislation prohibited the intentional injection, release, or dispersion of chemicals and other substances into the atmosphere within the borders of the state with the purpose of “affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of the sunlight.”
Companion Senate Bill 0723 (SB0723) is sponsored by Senator Adam Lowe (R-Calhoun-District 1).
Many Tennesseans were disappointed after the bill went into effect on July 1st, 2024, as they continued to report instances of “chemtrails” all across the state’s skies.
This year’s bill seeks to prevent weather-related companies from cloud-seeding and other modification activities similar to the new law but also provides a means of action through the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office for compliance, and gives Tennesseans the right to seek damages.
According to the bill, weather-related companies will be prohibited from carrying out any of the following or risk penalties:
(1) Seeding or dispersing of any substance into clouds or fog, to alter drop size distribution, produce ice crystals or coagulation of droplets, alter the development of hail or lightning, or influence in any way the natural development cycle of clouds or their environment
(2) Using fires or heat sources to influence convective circulation or evaporate fog
(3) Modifying the solar radiation exchange of the earth or clouds through the release of gases, dusts, liquids, or aerosols into the atmosphere
(4) Modifying the characteristics of land or water surfaces by dusting or treating the surfaces with powders, liquid sprays, dyes, or other material
Tying these actions to the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) means that both the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs and the Attorney General can investigate potential violations and issue penalties for noncompliance.
The Tennessee AG could also seek restraining orders to prevent further violations, and initiate legal proceedings in Davidson County circuit or chancery court.
The TCPA also gives the general public the right as individuals to file lawsuits if they have been “harmed by unfair or deceptive practices” allowing them to seek damages. Lawsuits must be filed within a year of a violation of the TCPA.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
