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4/5/2017
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Representative Justin K. Price to Testify on Geoengineering Bill Before The House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
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STATE HOUSE -- Representative Justin K. Price (R-District 39 Exeter, Hopkinton, Richmond) will testify on House bill 6011 “The Geoengineering Act of 2017” on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at the rise of the House in Room 205 at the Rhode Island State House.
House bill 6011 would establish a system to regulate the intentional manipulation of the global environment, through various means, that are known as “geoengineering”. The bill would also provide that a person seeking to engage in geoengineering activities would require a license from the director of the department of environmental management.
Scientists in the executive branch of government and Harvard University are openly requesting to conduct studies in the controversial field of geoengineering. The U.S. government office that oversees federally funded climate research has recommended studies into two areas of geoengineering research. The studies, part of a climate science planning report, is expected to further normalize discussion of trying to manipulate the atmosphere to cool the planet, and of directly collecting carbon from the sky.
According to Representative Price, “As scientists call for openly using geoengineering, my legislation calls for transparency and oversight before any form of geoengineering is utilized in the state of Rhode Island. This is nothing to joke around about, it’s scary stuff. I have serious concerns over the impact of geoengineering on the environment, the health and safety of our citizens as well as any unforeseen consequences, which could arise from such unpredictable technology.”
Geoengineering is defined as the intentional manipulation of the environment, involving nuclear, biological, chemical, electromagnetic and/or other physical-agent activities that affect changes to earth’s atmosphere and/or surface.
“I think the public should not take the idea of geoengineering lightly, because we have no idea what irreversible damage could be done to the planet or our atmosphere, if scientists move forward with their plan. Either the entire process is completely transparent to the public, with strict oversight, or I say, it absolutely should not happen.”
For more information, contact:
Raina C. Smith, House Minority Office
State House Room 106
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2259
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