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To Cut Snowplow Bill, Moscow Monkeys With Weather

If we make snow fall elsewhere, mayor reasons, there will be less snow

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 16, 2009 11:32 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Moscow's neighbors are steaming over a cost-cutting proposal by the mayor to make less snow fall in the city—which would mean more precipitation in the surrounding region. Liquid nitrogen, cement particles, and other substances kill clouds in the summer, and Yury Luzhkov wants to control the weather year-round, reports the Moscow Times. “What if we force this snow to fall beyond Moscow?” he asks  “We will have less snow.” Some are wary. “The question is: is it safe?” an official asks.

Kremlin honor guards march alongside the Kremlin wall, covered with snow, in downtown Moscow.
Kremlin honor guards march alongside the Kremlin wall, covered with snow, in downtown Moscow.   (AP Photo)
People walk through Red Square, covered with snow, in downtown Moscow.
People walk through Red Square, covered with snow, in downtown Moscow.   (AP Photo)
From right, Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with director of school No. 2005 Galina Piskaryova and Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov.t.
From right, Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with director of school No. 2005 Galina Piskaryova and Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov.t.   (AP Photo)
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The traffic jam will continue all winter, affecting Moscow government officials themselves as they commute from their villas outside the city. The only way for them to get to the city would be by helicopter. - Unnamed rban expert, on the drawbacks

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
cognitivefilter
Oct 18, 2009 1:50 AM CDT
cloud seeding is possible, who knows.
Bubblebee
Oct 18, 2009 1:45 AM CDT
So who would get the snow? And is it safe?
Unaffiliated
Oct 16, 2009 5:00 AM CDT
Russia and the Soviet Union have a long history of trying to control nature. The environment was a victim of the Cold War in the USSR and the USA. From the construction of giant dams, to clear cutting millions and millions of acres of forests, to depleting the oceans of fish, the planet was nothing but a resource to be consumed.

 
Russia • Moscow • clouds • winter • snow • precipitation • dispersal • seeding • Yury Luzhkov

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