For Immediate Release: New FCC Commissioners Unanimously Support the Local Community Radio Act
Bipartisan bill would expand low power radio

Contact:

Cory Fischer-Hoffman, Prometheus Radio Project (610) 761-5414 Pete Tridish, Prometheus Radio Project (215) 605-9297

September 17, 2009

Washington DC -- In the first Congressional oversight hearing since the three new FCC Commissioners took office, all five Commissioners endorsed the Local Community Radio Act HR 1147/ S592, unanimously reaffirming the FCC’s continued support for the bill.

FCC Chairman Genachowski and Commissioners Baker and Clyburn expressed support for the Local Community Radio Act in a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet. Introduced by Rep. Mike Doyle (PA-14) and Rep. Lee Terry (NE-2) in February, the bill would repeal a 2000 law that restricts Low Power FM radio (LPFM) radio to rural areas.

“We are very pleased that the Commission has again voiced their support for this important bill, which would allow community radio to expand into thousands of towns, cities and neighborhoods throughout the US,” stated Cory Fischer-Hoffman, Campaign Director at the Prometheus Radio Project.

This is the third time that the Commission has unanimously requested that Congress return authority to the FCC to manage “third adjacent channel restrictions” on Low Power FM radio (LPFM). These restrictions, imposed by Congress in 2000 in response to concerns that LPFMs could cause interference to full power stations – limited low power radio to rural areas. Since a 2003 congressionally-mandated engineering study showed that LPFMs do not harm full power stations, the FCC has told Congress they are ready to move forward with community radio. The bill now awaits a mark-up in the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Technology and the Internet.

LPFM stations are licensed to government, churches, emergency responders, and other noncommercial organizations. They have a three-to-five mile range and a maximum 100 watts of power. Today, over 800 local organizations operate LPFM stations around the country.