The proposed bill aims to establish the Atmospheric Intervention Oversight and Public Safety Act in West Virginia, which will prohibit unauthorized atmospheric interventions and create a regulatory framework for monitoring and enforcement. The bill empowers the Department of Environmental Protection to permit, condition, or deny applications for atmospheric interventions and allows the Air National Guard to assist in detecting and monitoring suspected unauthorized activities. It sets forth penalties for violations, including civil penalties ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 per day and potential felony charges for malicious actors, along with provisions for public reporting, transparency, and whistleblower protections.

Additionally, the bill establishes the Atmospheric Oversight Fund to support the implementation of the Act, which will be funded through civil penalties and legislative appropriations. It includes provisions for interstate cooperation to address cross-border atmospheric modification and mandates the department to maintain a public database of reports and investigations related to atmospheric interventions. The legislation emphasizes the importance of protecting the air and atmosphere as vital public resources and asserts the state's sovereign duty to safeguard its citizens and natural resources from the risks associated with atmospheric modification activities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 22-37-1, 22-37-2, 22-37-3, 22-37-4, 22-37-5, 22-37-6, 22-37-6a, 22-37-7, 22-37-8, 22-37-9