Bill > LD499

This bill introduces comprehensive regulations prohibiting geoengineering activities in the state of Maine. Specifically, the bill defines geoengineering as deliberate, large-scale interventions in Earth's natural systems aimed at counteracting climate change, which includes techniques like carbon dioxide management, solar radiation management, stratospheric aerosol injection, and weather modification. The legislation broadly prohibits any person from engaging in, authorizing, or funding such activities, with a narrow exception for scientific research conducted in a controlled environment and authorized by the state department. The research exemption requires annual reporting detailing the activity, research findings, and potential environmental impacts. Violations of this prohibition are classified as a Class E crime, with substantial financial penalties of $10,000 per day of continued violation. The bill provides detailed definitions for technical terms like "stratospheric aerosol injection" (releasing reflective particles into the stratosphere) and "weather modification techniques" (such as cloud seeding), ensuring a comprehensive approach to preventing potentially risky climate intervention methods.