[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 82 (Monday, June 20, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1295-E1296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF THE WEATHER MODIFICATION RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY 
                   TRANSFER AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 20, 2005

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
Weather Modification

[[Page E1296]]

Research and Technology Transfer Authorization Act. This bill will 
increase and enhance research and development in weather modification 
to better understand its effectiveness in addressing drought in our 
country.
  The western part of our country, including my own state of Colorado, 
has experienced drought conditions in recent years. Efforts have been 
made to address drought recovery, preparedness and mitigation. However, 
little fundamental research has been done to better understand weather 
modification, which some believe can increase the snowpacks that 
provide water resources for several western states.
  The National Academies of Science report Critical Issues in Weather 
Modification Research, released in 2003, noted that there is no 
scientific proof that weather modification is effective, however 
attributes this to a lack of understanding of ``critical atmospheric 
processes'' that has caused unpredictable results with weather 
modification, not a lack of success with such efforts. The report 
called for a national program for a sustained research effort in 
weather modification research to enhance the effectiveness and 
predictability of weather modification.
  There is currently no federal investment in weather modification, 
though there are private funds that are largely going toward unproven 
techniques. My bill, similar to a bill introduced in the Senate by 
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, establishes a federal research and 
development effort to improve our understanding of the atmosphere and 
develop more effective weather modification technologies and 
techniques.
  Specifically, the bill creates a Weather Modification Advisory and 
Research Board in the Department of Commerce to promote the 
``theoretical and practical knowledge of weather modification'' through 
the funding of research and development projects. The board will be 
made up of representatives from the American Meteorological Society, 
the American Society of Civil Engineers, the National Academy of 
Sciences, the National Center for Atmospheric Research, the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a higher education institution 
and a state which is currently supporting operational weather 
modification projects.
  In Colorado, a large portion of our water source comes from the 
snowpack run off each year. A better understanding of weather 
modifications has the potential to enhance our snowpacks, and thus 
assist in addressing drought concerns.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support the expansion of the 
research and development of weather modification and urge a swift 
passage of this bill.

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