Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is dismissing speculation that cloud seeding or weather modification played any role in the devastating floods in the Texas Hill Country.
“There has been a lot of misinformation flying around lately, so let me clarify: the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) has absolutely no connection to cloud seeding or any form of weather modification,” said Miller.
Cloud seeding is a form of weather modification where substances are introduced into clouds to encourage rain, snow, or hail. The most common materials used are silver iodide, potassium iodide, or dry ice. These particles act as nuclei for water droplets to form around, which can help clouds produce precipitation more effectively.
While cloud seeding and weather modification is legal in Texas, it is regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
“Since the passage of Senate Bill 1303 in 2011, TDA has had no legal authority, responsibilities, or involvement in any weather modification programs. That authority was transferred out of our hands more than a decade ago.”
Miller is calling to put an end to the “conspiracy theories and stop blaming others.”
“As an eighth-generation farmer and rancher, I know what it’s like to watch the sky during a drought, hoping for rain. When Texas experiences a dry spell, I don’t depend on artificial weather manipulation; I turn to my faith. I kneel and pray, just as many farmers, ranchers, and rural communities do,” said Miller. “Our priority should be the recovery efforts in the Texas Hill Country, as we stand in solidarity with our fellow Texans.”
