House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin and Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Rich McCormick requested a briefing from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) regarding its oversight of marine cloud brightening and other geoengineering experiments in the United States, according to a May 22 letter.
The request comes after a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report recommended that NOAA strengthen its supervision of weather modification activities. The issue is important due to potential environmental, scientific, and governance risks associated with geoengineering techniques such as marine cloud brightening.
In their letter to NOAA Administrator Neil Jacobs, Babin and McCormick said that “because this research has local, regional, and potentially global consequences, the Committee seeks to ensure rigorous oversight, heightened scrutiny, and greater transparency” in how NOAA implements the Weather Modification Reporting Act of 1972. They also said it is essential to maintain public transparency and confidence around emerging geoengineering research.
The letter referenced the Alameda Marine Cloud Brightening experiment in Alameda, California. The City of Alameda stopped this experiment after officials stated that its full scope had not been disclosed to the public. While notifications were reportedly submitted by the University of Washington as required under federal law, Babin and McCormick raised concerns about community notification procedures and risk assessments related to the project.
The Chairmen also addressed broader issues tied to new geoengineering technologies such as proposals for releasing particles into the atmosphere with the aim of reflecting sunlight. They wrote that many scientists have warned these activities could pose unknown environmental or geopolitical risks including possible disruptions in weather patterns.
Additionally, they cited a February 2026 GAO report recommending that NOAA improve review procedures for weather modification reports, strengthen guidance on public reporting requirements, and better inform operators along with state or local governments about its responsibilities. According to their statement, NOAA agreed with all recommendations from GAO.
Babin and McCormick requested an update from NOAA on progress toward implementing these recommendations.
