Recent Changes to Florida Law Regarding Geoengineering and Weather Modification Activities
Beginning on Oct. 1, 2025, all operators of public-use airports within the State of Florida must report the presence of any aircraft equipped with weather modification or geoengineering equipment to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) on a monthly basis. This is in response to recent changes to Florida law regarding the prohibition on geoengineering and weather modification activities within the State of Florida, including the injection, release or dispersion of chemicals or substances into the atmosphere for the express purpose of altering weather, temperature, climate or sunlight intensity. Non-compliance with this initiative could potentially result in the loss of critical funding from the state, which the Charlotte County Airport Authority relies on for the continued improvement and upkeep of our aviation and airport infrastructure at PGD.
As stated previously, the Department of Airports is required to provide a monthly report to the FDOT based on the following:
- An inventory or account detailing the physical presence of any aircraft on public property, including any public infrastructure, equipped with any part, component, device, or the like which may be used to support the intentional emission, injection, release, or dispersion of air contaminants into the atmosphere within the borders of this state when such emissions occur for the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, climate, or the intensity of sunlight.
- The landing, takeoff, stopover, or refueling of an aircraft equipped with the components outlined in paragraph (a) on the physical location of the public infrastructure.
Anyone with information related to any aircraft meeting the conditions above at Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) is asked to contact the Charlotte County Airport Authority at (941) 639-1101 and ask for the On-Duty Airside Operations Supervisor to report these activities.