FOIA Investigation

Stratospheric Aerosol Injection FOIA Tracker

A comprehensive database tracking Freedom of Information Act requests filed to investigate potential undisclosed government Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) programs and geoengineering activities.

12
Total FOIAs Filed
5
Pending Review
4
Responses Received

Investigation Objectives

  • Document any ongoing or planned SAI operations by government agencies
  • Obtain records of atmospheric modification programs and funding
  • Assess transparency and public disclosure of geoengineering research
  • Track agency cooperation and compliance with FOIA regulations

Last updated: December 2024 | All requests filed under 5 U.S.C. § 552

Active FOIA Requests

Detailed tracking of all Freedom of Information Act requests filed to investigate potential undisclosed SAI programs

Demo Content Notice

The FOIA requests displayed below are example/demonstration content only. These are not real FOIA requests filed by Sustainability In Action or any affiliated parties. This page serves as a template to show how FOIA tracking could be implemented for transparency and accountability purposes.

PENDING EPA FOIA #2024-EPA-00187

EPA Atmospheric Modification Programs & Aerosol Research

Request for all documents, emails, and reports related to stratospheric aerosol injection research, atmospheric modification programs, and any coordination with Department of Defense or NOAA regarding geoengineering activities from 2015-2024.

Date Filed
Oct 15, 2024
Days Pending
71 days
Agency Response
Under Review
Cooperation Level
Moderate
Est. Response
Jan 2025
Latest Update (Dec 20, 2024):

EPA acknowledged receipt and requested 30-day extension. Cited need to consult with multiple departments. Extension granted.

Filed by: Dr. Sarah Mitchell, Environmental Research Director
RESPONDED NOAA FOIA #2024-NOAA-00412

NOAA Weather Modification & Cloud Seeding Records

Request for all weather modification permits, cloud seeding operations, and atmospheric research programs conducted by or in coordination with NOAA from 2010-2024, including funding sources and operational details.

Date Filed
Aug 5, 2024
Response Time
58 days
Response Date
Oct 2, 2024
Cooperation Level
Good
Pages Released
247 pages
Response Summary:

NOAA released 247 pages documenting weather modification permits issued 2010-2024. Records show 78 cloud seeding programs across 15 states. No classified SAI programs disclosed. Some redactions under Exemption 6 (personnel privacy).

Filed by: Legal Team - Sustainability In Action
PARTIALLY DENIED DoD FOIA #2024-DoD-00892

Department of Defense Atmospheric Intervention Programs

Request for all records related to atmospheric modification, aerosol dispersal programs, geoengineering research funding, and any classified or unclassified SAI operations conducted by or contracted through DoD from 2000-2024.

Date Filed
Jul 12, 2024
Response Time
98 days
Response Date
Oct 18, 2024
Cooperation Level
Poor
Pages Released
12 pages
Denial Justification:

DoD released only 12 pages of unclassified weather research. Denied majority of request citing Exemption 1 (national security), Exemption 3 (statutory prohibition), and Exemption 7 (law enforcement). Appeal filed Nov 1, 2024. Awaiting appeal decision.

Filed by: James Chen, J.D., Public Interest Attorney
PENDING NASA FOIA #2024-NASA-00524

NASA Stratospheric Research & Aerosol Monitoring Programs

Request for all documents related to stratospheric aerosol monitoring, atmospheric chemistry experiments, and any coordination with military or intelligence agencies regarding potential SAI activities or geoengineering research from 2012-2024.

Date Filed
Sep 22, 2024
Days Pending
94 days
Agency Response
Processing
Cooperation Level
Good
Est. Response
Jan 15, 2025
Latest Update (Dec 10, 2024):

NASA confirmed request received and assigned to Office of Communications. Initial search identified ~400 potentially responsive documents. Currently under review. No extension requested.

Filed by: Dr. Sarah Mitchell, Environmental Research Director
DELAYED CIA FOIA #F-2024-01156

CIA Geoengineering Research & Intelligence Assessments

Request for all intelligence assessments, research funding documents, and communications related to geoengineering, stratospheric aerosol injection, or weather modification programs, including any involvement in domestic or international SAI activities from 2005-2024.

Date Filed
Jun 3, 2024
Days Pending
205 days
Agency Response
Backlog
Cooperation Level
Poor
Est. Response
Unknown
Latest Update (Nov 15, 2024):

CIA placed request in "complex" processing queue. Cited extensive search requirements and need for multi-office review. No estimated completion date provided. Request currently in backlog with 200+ days pending.

Filed by: James Chen, J.D., Public Interest Attorney

Submit FOIA Data

Have you filed a FOIA request related to geoengineering or atmospheric modification? Share your data to contribute to transparency and accountability.

Your Information

FOIA Request Details

Documents & Links

Your submission will be reviewed before publication

Why Submit Your FOIA Data?

  • Increase transparency about government atmospheric modification programs
  • Help build a comprehensive public database of geoengineering-related FOIAs
  • Support collective efforts to hold agencies accountable for disclosure
  • Connect with others working on similar transparency initiatives

Investigation Summary & Analysis

Key findings and patterns from our comprehensive FOIA investigation into potential government SAI programs

Response Time Analysis

Average processing times by agency

NOAA 58 days
EPA 71 days (pending)
NASA 94 days (pending)
Department of Defense 98 days
CIA 205+ days

Note: Legal FOIA response time is 20 business days, with possible 10-day extension.

Agency Cooperation Levels

Transparency & compliance ratings

Good Cooperation
NOAA, NASA, FAA
3
Moderate Cooperation
EPA, USGS, NSF
3
Poor Cooperation
DoD, CIA, DHS, NSA, DOE, Air Force
6

Pattern Observed: Intelligence and military agencies consistently show poor cooperation, with extensive redactions and delayed responses.

Key Findings from FOIA Investigation

Critical observations and concerns

Excessive Classification

Military and intelligence agencies cite national security exemptions for most atmospheric research records, preventing public oversight.

Systematic Delays

Average response time exceeds 90 days, well beyond legal requirements. Some requests pending 200+ days without justification.

Heavy Redactions

Documents released by DoD and CIA contain extensive redactions, often rendering information meaningless or incomplete.

Interagency Coordination

NOAA records reveal coordination between civilian and military agencies on atmospheric research, but details remain classified.

Undisclosed Funding

Multiple agencies acknowledge geoengineering research funding but refuse to disclose amounts, recipients, or project scopes.

Some Transparency

NOAA and NASA have released limited records showing weather modification permits and atmospheric monitoring programs.

Transparency Concern

Despite public statements that no large-scale SAI programs exist, the level of classification, denial, and delay in releasing atmospheric research records raises significant transparency concerns. The pattern suggests agencies are withholding information about the scope and nature of geoengineering research and potential atmospheric intervention activities.

Legal Actions

Filing appeals for denied requests and potential litigation for agencies exceeding legal response times.

Additional Requests

Expanding investigation to additional agencies including FAA, USGS, and international coordination offices.

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