Environment

HB 90 requires Wyoming's state engineer to study how large-scale industrial water use permanently removes water from the natural water cycle (like data centers, carbon capture, and hydrogen production), excluding normal evaporation from irrigation. The study must analyze current impacts on all water users - including agriculture, municipalities, and recreation - and recommend ways to limit future impacts. It mandates a report to the legislature by November 2026, funded by a $500,000 appropriation specifically for this study. This bill does not change water rules but creates a formal process to assess emerging industrial water demands.

This Wyoming legislative resolution requests Congress prohibit unauthorized atmospheric geoengineering (such as weather modification using chemicals or solar radiation management) without state consent. It would ban the release of substances for weather control, unmarked aircraft conducting such activities over Wyoming, and classify violations as felonies with fines. The resolution explicitly excludes ground-based cloud seeding from these restrictions and urges federal action to protect Wyoming's airspace and public health. As a request to Congress, it does not create new state law.