Safety Advocates Make Final Argument vs. FCC OTARD
Children’s Health Defense and four individuals challenging revised rules for over-the-air reception devices urged the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to overturn revised OTARD rules, approved by FCC commissioners in January (see 2101070068). “The amendments are not…
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‘modest,’” said a final brief posted Wednesday in docket 21-1075. The revisions “contemplate massive deployment of carrier-grade base stations and antennas in residential areas despite significant local impact, opposition and harm,” the pleading said. Petitioners said the FCC lacked legal authority to approve the revisions. The FCC defended the order (see 2108240040). Safe Technology Minnesota, Wired Broadband and other opponents of the rules filed a brief supporting Children’s Health Defense. “What is striking about the OTARD Report and Order is what it does not contain: any meaningful response to the hundreds of comments filed by parties who advised the Commission that they themselves -- or members of their families or friends -- are suffering health effects as a result of RF emissions,” they said: “The Report and Order dismisses in one sentence the health risks and conditions suffered by hundreds of people who filed comments regarding RF exposure levels.” Public Knowledge and the Open Technology Institute at New America told the court Thursday they plan to file an amicus brief in support of the FCC.