Williston senator introduces bill seeking to end cloud seeding statewide

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - Residents in Mountrail and Williams County voted to end cloud seeding last year. Now Sen. Todd Beard, R-Williston, wants to see it shut down permanently.

He introduced Senate Bill 2106 Thursday, which would prohibit the use of weather modification and make it a class B misdemeanor. Beard joined other northwest North Dakota farmers in testifying, saying they haven’t seen any benefits, and it weakens storm systems coming in from Montana.

Darin Langerud, Director of the North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Division, argued various studies show cloud seeding produces a 5-to-10% increase in rainfall long-term and a 45% reduction in crop-hail losses.

Southwestern farmers and members of the Bowman County Commission also spoke against the bill, saying having hail suppression efforts protects local and state economies.

Only McKenzie and Bowman Counties participate in cloud seeding in the summer. Some townships in Slope County also authorize its use.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee did not take any action on the bill.