FARGO, N.D. (AP) - Some farmers in the northern Plains who are enduring the worst drought conditions in decades say a cloud-seeding program aimed at making it rain may be part of the problem.
The longstanding controversy reached a head in North Dakota this summer when Gov. Doug Burgum asked the state Water Commission to review the program. Promoters of weather modification say they welcome the questions and believe the science will support them.
North Dakota launched its program back in the 1950s. The state currently pays about $400,000 toward the program, or about one-third of the cost, and it operates in seven counties.
Northern North Dakota farmer Roger Neshem is leading the push to stop cloud seeding. He says the state has been spending money on it without any evidence it works.