Rep. Pike files bill in North Carolina House to ban intentional atmospheric pollution

A new bill filed by State Rep. Joseph Pike in the North Carolina House seeks to prevent atmospheric modification activities that could impact the environment and public health, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 362 on March 11 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Clean Skies Geoengineering Ban.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, the bill seeks to prohibit the intentional release of polluting emissions, including stratospheric aerosol injection, cloud seeding, and electromagnetic radio frequency, into the atmosphere within North Carolina. This is to prevent atmospheric modification activities that affect temperature, weather, sunlight intensity, and potentially the environment, agriculture, wildlife, human health, aviation, state security, and the economy. The definition of “atmospheric modification” excludes the application of pesticides via aircraft if licensed. The Environmental Management Commission is tasked with adopting rules to implement this act, which becomes effective upon becoming law.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Jeffrey C. McNeely proposed the most bills (10) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Pike, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 6th House district, replacing previous state representative Paul O’Neal.