The Sierra Club California Conservation Committee last week called for its National Conservation Policy Committee to oppose the FCC’s recent rule waiving environmental review and limiting local control of the deployment of 5G wireless technology and small cell box installations.
In its press release, the group stated: “The federal government is fast-tracking a rollout of 5G infrastructure. The FCC ruling on September 26, 2018 limits local authorities’ discretion over the placement of 5G equipment in public right-of-ways in front of homes. (1)
The FCC ruling will result in cell tower installation without local community members’ knowledge or consent, and overrides local control by municipalities throughout America while waiving environmental review on the environmental impacts of this new technology. Additional federal streamlining legislation such as (S.3157) would block the rights of local governments and their citizens to regulate and environmentally review deployment of this new technology over which the FCC waived environmental review. Currently, cell antennas may be installed on public utility poles every (210) houses in urban areas. According to the industry, as many as 50,000 new cell sites will be required in California alone.”
The SCCCC statement said Mill Valley, San Anselmo, Ross, Petaluma, Hillsborough, Monterey, Palm Beach (Florida) and other cities have adopted ordinances opposing 5G. The proposed resolution would be consistent with the Club’s precautionary principle and its Environmental Justice Policy at supporting the right to a clean and healthful environment for all people, and its Pollution Policies on Environmentally Hazardous Substances.
February 12, 2019
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