Opposition Mounts as U.S. Conference of Mayors, National League of Cities, and National Association of Counties Contest FCC Proposal
News Source: Environmental Health Sciences
Washington, DC — Opposition is rapidly mounting against the Federal Communications Commission’s proposed cell tower fast-track rules that would strip local and state authority regarding cell towers and 5G wireless sites, WT Docket No. 25-276), with more than 4,000 comments filed and growing resistance from cities, counties, and the nation’s largest local government associations.
Major organizations representing over 200 million Americans have formally urged the FCC to withdraw or substantially revise the proposal, warning that it would strip communities of local control and override long-standing zoning, safety, and environmental protections. These include the U.S. Conference of Mayors, which represents 1,400 cities, the National League of Cities, which represents over 2,675 cities, towns, and villages representing more than 200 million people, the National Association of Counties, representing 3,069 counties nationwide, and the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, who stated in a joint letter:
“America’s local government leaders willingly partner with federal agencies, state governments, and broadband providers to close the digital divide in all communities, for all residents. Expanding blanket impositions of one-size-fits-all regulatory overreach into local zoning and planning decisions does not accomplish that goal.”
In addition, dozens of individual cities, counties, and regional coalitions across multiple states—from large metropolitan areas to rural communities—have filed official letters opposing the rules, citing risks to public safety, emergency preparedness, environmental review, historic preservation, and democratic accountability.
The City and County of San Francisco stated:
“The City opposes the NPRM’s proposals to restrict state and local government actions because doing so would be contrary to Sections 2532 and 332(c)(7)3 of the Communications Act and Section 6409(a) of the Spectrum Act,4 and because the proposals would undermine efforts to promote efficient deployment under clear rules.”
The over 4,000 comments include members of the public plus scientists, environmental and public health groups who are warning that fast-tracking cell towers would increase public exposure to cell tower radiation, presenting health risks without adequate safeguards due to the FCC’s outdated limits. The International Commission on the Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields (ICBE-EMF) states:
“Cell towers, 5G and wireless infrastructure should not be fast-tracked… U.S. limits on allowable exposures to RF radiation are not science-based and do not protect the public.”
Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) submitted several comprehensive comments along with over 1000 scientific research studies as documentation stating the FCC proposals violate the FCC’s public interest mandate because of the FCC’s continued reliance on its 1996 cell tower radiation exposure limits paired with its lack of adequate regulation (no premarket safety testing, no oversight and enforcement, etc). Further, EHS comments document how the FCC has withheld information from the public regarding RF radiation exposures exceeding the FCC’s limits.
Theodora Scarato, Director of the Wireless Program at EHS, stated
“Fast-tracking wireless infrastructure while ignoring decades of scientific evidence—and without measuring real-world exposures, monitoring cumulative impacts, or requiring pre-market safety testing—is reckless and represents a policy failure with foreseeable human and environmental consequences.”
The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments stated the FCC’s proposals should be rejected because the FCC has not responded to the DC Circuit case mandating the agency explain how its cell tower RF radiation limits are adequately protective.
“Setbacks help ensure that radio frequency emissions, which are transmitted 24/7 and at differing power levels, are far enough away to protect residents, workers, school children, and patients. Further, they protect from telecom fires, which are all too common, and from Cell Towers toppling as they are topped with heavy equipment.”
The National Call for Safe Technology and dozens of groups around the country stated:
“The FCC has lost its way. Formed “for the purpose of promoting safety of life and property” with “adequate facilities,” it has instead become a sock puppet for the industry it was intended to regulate, pursuing maximal facilities deployment no matter the cost.”
Reply comments are due January 15.
Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) has compiled and published a robust list of key official city and state filings opposing the FCC’s cell tower fast-track proposal. The continuously updated collection includes formal letters and public filings submitted directly to the FCC record and shows that opposition extends well beyond individual commenters to institutions representing thousands of local governments and millions of Americans.
Link to see the city and state FCC filings https://ehsciences.org/official-letters-opposing-fcc-cell-tower-fast-track-rules/
About Environmental Health Sciences
Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) is a nonprofit environmental health organization dedicated to protecting public health through science-based policy and education. Through its Wireless and EMF Program, EHS advances independent scientific research, public and professional education, and evidence-driven advocacy on the health effects of cell tower radiation, wireless, cell phone safety, and non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (EMF). The program works to inform decision-makers, elevate transparency and accountability, and promote meaningful policy changes that better protect the public and wildlife in an increasingly wireless world.
