24 House Democrats urge FCC to allow local governments additional time to respond to wireless equipment rule changes amid COVID-19 response

Twenty four Democratic Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee urged the FCC to delay a vote on a Declaratory Ruling that would limit local governments‘ role in the deployment of wireless infrastructure. Many local governments missed the opportunity to comment, as they have been focused on the COVID-19 response. The Declaratory Ruling, if unchanged, would allow companies to expand cell sites without regard for local processes and potential conflicting priorities.   

“We are especially troubled by the burden responding to this Declaratory Ruling will place on local governments that are rightfully focused right now on combating the ongoing coronavirus pandemic,” the representatives wrote. “Likewise, we worry that if this Declaratory Ruling does not benefit from meaningful input from local governments, the result could undermine municipalities’ ability to balance their responsibilities to public safety and community design with their desire to ensure access to affordable wireless networks and the next generation services.”

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E&C Democrats urge FCC to allow local governments adequate time to respond to wireless equipment rule changes amid COVID-19 response (US House, June 2, 2020)