The "Clean Air Preservation Act" seeks to establish a regulatory framework in New Hampshire that prohibits solar radiation modification (SRM), geoengineering, and other atmospheric interventions that involve the release of pollutants. The bill repeals and reenacts RSA 12-F, which previously permitted weather modification experimentation, and introduces new definitions for terms such as "pollution," "release," "solar radiation modification," and "weather engineering." It emphasizes the harmful effects of pollutants, particularly sulfur dioxide (SO2), on public health and the environment, asserting the need for these prohibitions to protect the state's natural resources. Violations of the prohibitions will be reported to county sheriffs or authorized citizens, who will enforce the law through cease-and-desist orders and impose penalties, including fines of at least $500,000 or imprisonment for up to two years.

In addition to the atmospheric intervention regulations, the bill modifies existing statutes related to personal wireless service facilities by removing the need for variances or special exceptions for collocations or modifications, thereby streamlining the approval process. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, and while it does not provide funding for new positions, it is expected to significantly increase expenditures for the Department of Environmental Services and the Department of Justice due to the new responsibilities and enforcement actions required. The anticipated costs include hiring a full-time Compliance Officer and additional legal staff to manage the increased workload, with the financial impact on county costs remaining indeterminable.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 674:33, 674:44
HB1618 text: 674:33, 674:44