BISMARCK, N.D. – A bill that would ban cloud seeding in North Dakota dies in the state’s Senate in a 29-18 vote.
Republican State Senator Todd Beard of Williston’s bill would have criminalized weather modification and made it a misdemeanor offense. Violators would have been penalized with up to 30 days in jail and a $1,500 fine.
The practice of cloud seeding involves sending silver iodide and dry ice into seedable clouds to promote rainfall. Northwest North Dakota farmers joined Beard in testifying, saying it weakens storm systems and that they haven’t seen any benefits to it.
