Who We Are? The Maryland Coalition For Safe Technology

The Maryland Coalition For Safe Technology is a coalition in Maryland dedicated to safe technology. We are addressing everything from cell towers, to 5G small cells to WSSC water meters.

Join us! Subscribe to this blog to stay updated.

WSSC to Launch Meters With Radiation

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) is proposing to install wireless smart meters on all homes in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties to use for measuring water consumption. The WSSC commissioners and staff discussed the health issues raised by citizens related to "smart" meters publicly on Sept 19th at their monthly meeting. 

Take Action Now: 

Write the WSSC and all elected officials. Tell the WSSC you do not want smartmeters and tell your elected officials you want them to act now to contact the WSSC and ask them to HALT any rollout of radiating meters. 

Ask for a moratorium on smart meters. 

Email  budgetgroup@wsscwater.com, county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov and add in ALL of  your elected officials. 

A copy of the proposed FY 2020-2025 CIP can be found at https://www.wsscwater.com/files/live/sites/wssc/files/Financial/Proposed%20FYs%202020-2025%20CIP_PH_Online.pdf 

The full meeting I available here. 

 http://wsscwater.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=446&meta_id=16349

Montgomery County Maryland Hearing on 5G Small Cells Near Homes Citizens are OPPOSED

National Toxicology Program Study on Cell Phone Radiation Peer Review Recommendations

Actions from Peer Review of the Draft NTP Technical Reports on Cell Phone Radiofrequency Radiation March 26-28, 2018 

 The National Toxicology Program (NTP) convened the NTP Technical Reports Peer Review Panel (“the Panel”) on March 26-28, 2018, to peer review two Draft NTP Technical Reports on Cell Phone Radiofrequency Radiation.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Toxicology Program released a statement about the conclusions of the panel for each endpoint, found here. 

The peer review panel voted that the malignant schwannoma tumors found in the heart of male rats be scientifically categorized as “clear evidence of carcinogenicity” and that the malignant gliomas found in the brain of male rats be categorized as “some evidence of carcinogenicity.” In addition, they voted that the increased tumors of the adrenal medulla in male rats exposed to the GSM type of cell phone radiation be categorized as “some evidence of carcinogenicity,” adding a new type of tumor thought to be caused by the exposure. The expert panel advised strengthening the conclusions regarding seven different health effects. The panel called attention to statistically significant increases in an unusual pattern of cardiomyopathy, or damage to heart tissue, in exposed male and female rats. The panel highlighted that in Italy a recent animal study on radiofrequency radiation at much lower radiation levels than the NTP study found the same types of rare malignancies.  

In addition to the heart and brain cancers, statistically significant increased numbers of tumors were found in other organs at one or more of the exposure levels studied, including the prostate gland, pituitary gland, adrenal gland, liver, and pancreas.  

“What should happen now is the FDA should be immediately working on developing a quantitative risk assessment from this data and in the meantime the FDA, FCC, and other agencies should promote precautionary measures for the population—especially for children,” said Ronald Melnick PhD, who led the design of the NTP study in his 28-year career as a scientist at the National Toxicology Program. Melnick is currently senior advisor to Environmental Health Trust (EHT).

This is from NIEHS National Toxicology Program Webpage HERE  Technical Reports Peer Review Panel Presentations – March 26-28, 2018

Meeting information, including the draft reports, is available at the NTP website (https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/36051). A meeting report will be prepared and posted to the NTP website when completed.

The Panel was divided into two groups. Panel 1 provided consultation on the reverberation chamber technology and Panel 2 provided recommendations on the study findings and NTP’s draft conclusions. NTP will consider these comments when finalizing the technical reports. When completed, the technical reports will be published on the NTP website https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/about_ntp/trpanel/2018/march/actions20180328_508.pdf.  

Read the Environmental Health Trust press release here. 

Download this PDF here. 

The "clear evidence" is in the cancers found in the rats on page 2. 

NIEHS National Toxicology Program Peer Review of the Draft NTP Technical Reports on Cell Phone Radiofrequen... on Scribd

NPR On Point: Big Wireless and the cell phone cancer risk.

 On Point: Big Wireless and the cell phone cancer risk.

“Big Tobacco lied about cigarettes. Is Big Wireless lying about cell phones? We’ll look at the cancer-cell phone connection.”

 This show aired Thursday at 11 a.m. EST  Apr 4, 2018

Guests:

Mark Hertsgaard, investigative editor for The Nation and co-author of the magazine’s April 28 cover story, How Big Wireless Made Us Think That Cell Phones Are Safe: A Special Investigation. Author of seven books, the latest of which is “Bravehearts: Whistle-Blowing In The Age Of Snowden.” (@markhertsgaard)

Jerry Phillips, biochemist and director of the Excel Science Center at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.

Reading List:

The Nation: How Big Wireless Made Us Think That Cell Phones Are Safe: A Special Investigation.

Scientific American: New Studies Link Cell Phone Radiation with Cancer — “New studies show a correlation in lab rats, but the evidence may not resolve ongoing debates over causality or whether any effects arise in people.”

Cell phone radiation is perfectly safe, right? That’s what the wireless industry says. But an investigation by The Nation magazine raises questions. Big Wireless, it reports, stole the playbook from Big Tobacco and Big Oil—with its own scientists privately warning about the risks, years ago.

This hour, On Point: Big Wireless and the cell phone cancer risk.

—Jane Clayson

The Annapolis hearing on the 5G small Cells has been cancelled. .

The Annapolis March 20, 2018 hearing on the 5G small Cells

SB1188 has been cancelled.

I repeat CANCELLED .

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&stab=03&id=sb1188&tab=subject3&ys=2018RS

 

 

Crown Castle Explains How Wireless Cell Towers Work in 2014 Report

Read what Crown Castle shared with their investors about these so called "small cells."

Crown Castle Presentation NAREIT 2014 Report   on Scribd

Come to the Hearing in Annapolis on March 20, 2018 To Halt The State Streamlining Bills

WE NEED YOU To Come to the Hearing in Annapolis in the MD Finance Committee: 1 p.m March 20, 2018, for Senate Bill 1188 to testify on this Bill.

Two Bills HB 1767 and SB 1188 are in the Maryland Assembly and we must halt them! 

The MD Bills: These Bills represent  a coordinated, national effort by the telecommunications industry to prevent public input and bypass local zoning regulations over the installation of 5G small cell equipment and poles in the public right of way.

Senate Bill 1188 is sponsored by Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton, Chair of the Finance Committee. Its House companion, House Bill 1767, is sponsored by Delegate Dereck Davis, Chair of the Economic Matters Committee.   

THE LEGISLATION

• Supersedes local government  ordinances and regulations.
• Allows for the installation of poles up to 50 feet in height and equipment boxes up to 28 cubic feet throughout neighborhoods, including residential neighborhoods.
• Caps rates restricting what municipalities can charge.
• Disregards health risks from radiation.

These bills are based on “model legislation” that AT&T and Verizon created with ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council.

The Maryland Municipal League representing 157 municipal governments in the State of Maryland is opposed to these Bills. The Montgomery County Civic Federation is opposed to these bills.

In California when a similar Bill was proposed, organizations wrote letters in strong opposition such as the  American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the Alliance of Nurses for Health Environments, the Sierra Club, Frank Clegg, former President of Microsoft, Canada, the Greenlining Institute and the American Planning Association.  

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Sign the petition.

Contact elected officials today! Call and email them here

Come to the Hearing in the MD Finance Committee: 1 p.m March 20, 2018, for Senate Bill 1188.  

LEARN MORE

Maryland Coalition Website: Sign up to stay updates with the Maryland Coalition fighting this Bills.

What Is 5G  Website about the health, privacy and safety risks posed by 5G

Physicians for Safe Technology: Doctors on health risks.

Environmental Health Trust: Scientific think tank tracking Bills nationwide.

Telecom Powergrab: New York State Coalition fighting the same bills.

Hearing in the MD Finance Committee: 1 p.m March 20, 2018, for Senate Bill 1188.  

Senate Bill 1188 is sponsored by Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton, Chair of the Finance Committee. Its House companion, House Bill 1767, is sponsored by Delegate Dereck Davis, Chair of the Economic Matters Committee.   

“There is a substantial body of evidence that this technology is harmful to humans and the environment. The 5G millimeter wave is known to heat the eyes, skin and testes... Of particular concern are the most vulnerable among us — the unborn, children, the infirm, the elderly and the disabled. It is also expected that populations of bees and birds will drastically decline.” -- by Dr. Lennart Hardell, 2017

Nationwide Opposition To 5G Small Cells in Neighborhoods

Watch citizens across the United States testify to halt 5G Small Cells.





Learn about how these bills are being pushed across the nation at https://ehtrust.org/list-us-state-bills-streamlining-wireless-small-cellsdasnodes-rights-way/

Sign Our Petition To OPPOSE Maryland Bills SB1188 & HB1767

We Want to Keep Local Zoning Rights, Public Notice, and Public Hearings!
Please vote NO on SB 1188 and HB 1767 - Wireless Facilities - Permitting and Siting
SIGN THE PETITION
and please share this petition in your community!
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/protect-citizens-interests-oppose-sb-1188-hb-1767

.

City of Gaithersburg Opposes Wireless "Streamlining" Bill

Public Hearing on Wireless Facilities Bill Eliminating Public Input and Superseding Local Government Rights to be held March 20 in Annapolis

A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, for Senate Bill 1188. As written, the bill represents a coordinated, national effort by the telecommunications industry to prevent public input and limit local government authority over the installation of small cell equipment and poles in the public right of way. Public testimony will be heard by the Finance Committee starting at 1 p.m. in the Miller Senate Office Building at 11 Bladen Street in Annapolis.

Small cell wireless antennas and equipment are used by the telecommunications industry to increase network coverage and capacity. While the City of Gaithersburg recognizes that enhancements are necessary as our society becomes more and more reliant on electronic devices, it is critically important that City residents and local government officials play an integral part in making decisions about the location and design of these small cell facilities.

The City of Gaithersburg strongly opposes this legislation and is working to protect its resident’s voices regarding installation decisions to ensure that they work for the community, protect our neighborhoods and allow local government oversight. If passed, this Bill would allow for the installation of poles up to 50 feet in height and equipment boxes up to 28 cubic feet throughout the City, including residential neighborhoods.

The City urges residents to contact committee members to express opposition. A letter template is provided here. Senate Bill 1188 is sponsored by Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton, Chair of the Finance Committee. Its House companion, House Bill 1767, is sponsored by Delegate Dereck Davis, Chair of the Economic Matters Committee. Residents are also encouraged to contact District 17 Senator Cheryl Kagan and Delegates Kumar Barve, James Gilchrist and Andrew Platt.

In its deliberations on the issue of small cell facilities, Gaithersburg has been seeking to balance advances in technology and federal regulations with the municipal needs, neighborhood integrity and concerns of City residents.

After a series of public meetings and its own public hearings, the Gaithersburg Mayor and City Council adopted ordinance and regulation amendments related to small cell facilities in December 2017. The amendments better define how telecommunications facilities can be installed in rights of way, clarify the zoning and installation requirements, and create special rules allowing staff approvals for certain installations that have limited impact. State legislation as proposed by Senate Bill 1188 would supersede these ordinances and regulations.

For more information please contact Legislative Affairs Manager Monica Marquina at 240-805-1090, monica.marquina@gaithersburgmd.gov .

Read it on the Gaithersburg City website at http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/news/press-releases/2018/03/20180306-public-hearing-on-wireless-facilities-bill-eliminating-public-input-and-superseding-local

EPA Retiree Opposed to Cell Towers Near Homes

From Montgomery County where they are trying to force neighborhoods get mini cell towers. 

Montgomery County Coalition for the Control of Cell Towers Statement on SB1188 and HB1767 Pre-emption Bills

Montgomery County Coalition for the Control of Cell Towers is online at MC4T.org and is part of our State Coalition!

They represent literally thousands of Montgomery County Maryland Citizens. 

Check our their fantastic summary of the Bills! 


"MC4T is fighting for fair, transparent and accurate regulation of cell poles and cell towers to minimize adverse impacts to surrounding land uses, respect the harmony and aesthetic character of our communities, and protect the health and saftety of all residents. Join us!" 

STOP MARYLAND PRE-EMPTION 

​of Local Control of Cell Poles

Using a parlimentary maneuver to mimimize public input and "expedite" legislation, two powerful committee Chairs (Senator Middleton in the Maryland Senate and  Del. Davis in the House of Delegates) quietly "cross-filed" bills (SB1188and HB1767 ) on February 21, 2018 - after the normal deadline for filing. 

If passed and signed into law by Governor Hogan, this legislation will strip away County and City government control of cell phone siting and regulation while foisting huge costs on Maryland localities.  

These bills will allow uncontrolled placement of oversized and intrusive cell poles and equipment cabinets on street lamps, utility poles and even stop signs inside residential neighborhoods in the public right of way. And, these bills will unfairly subsidize Big Wireless by imposing ridiculously low "caps" on local fees and taxes for cell pole installation and operation.  

​

These  pre-emption bills  are virtual clones of legislation promoted  in other states by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and are a rip-off for all residents of Montgomery County and Maryland.  These bills must be stopped!

MC4T is working with coalition of other Maryland and national organizations that are strongly opposed to this power (pole) grab by Big Wireless.

These preemption bills have been referred for hearings to the Finance Committee in the Senate, and the Rules and Executive Nominations Committee  in the General Assembly.

Please call or email these members of Montgomery County's legislative delegation in Annapolis and let them know you are opposed to these bills:

•   Sen. Brian Feldman  - Senate Finance Committe
• ​  Del. Kumar Barve​ - Rules and Executive Nominations
• ​  Del. Kathleen Dumais - Rules and Executive Nominations
• ​  Del. William (Bill) Frick  - Rules and Executive Nominations
• ​  Del. Sheila Hixson - Rules and Executive Nominations
• ​  Del. Anne Kaiser - ​​Rules and Executive Nominations

Here is how Melanie Wenger, Director of Montgomery County Office of Intergovernmental Relations summarized these bills in presentation before the County Council on February 26, 2018:

HB 1767 / SB 1188 - Wireless Facilities - Permitting and Siting (Delegate Davis; Senator Middleton)

This bill establishes rules governing access to public right-of-way for thepurpose of installing small wireless facilities (small cells and distributed antennae systems) and uniform rates and fees for permitting and deployment of small wireless facilities in the right-of-way and on local government owned infrastructure.

The bill is extensive (22 pages) and complex but was suitably summarized by the Office of the County Attorney as:

• preempting local zoning law governing wireless facilities, 
• allowing unfettered access to County right-of-way and County-owned facilities, 
• severely restricting the County's ability to recover costs and collect fees from wireless companies, 
• conflicting with the County's existing franchise agreements, and 
• creating unfunded mandates by restricting cost recovery and limiting the County's authority to require wireless companies to indemnify their activities. 

Among other things, the bill:

(1) maximizes the number of poles in the right-of-way by not requiring colocation of antennas before new poles are pernitted, prohibiting denial based on lack of need and prohibiting a minimum distance between small cell facilities;
(2) requires a local government to process applications, including consolidated applications, without reimbursement for consulting or third party costs;
(3) limits the amount of surety bonds that can be required for an unlimited number of assets to $10,000; and,
(4) allows an unlimited number of antennas to be included in a consolidated application with reduced fees for consolidation, but no relief in timelines for approval. 

PUBLIC HEARINGS HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED BY THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2018 AT 1:00PM IN ANNAPOLis

More at MC4T.org 

.

SB 1188 and HB 1767 Pre-empt Local Authority to Control Community Right of Ways.

 1 Minute video clip on what we can expect if these bills pass.

Excellent website on Telecom’s Power Grab.

https://www.telecompowergrab.org

SB 1188 and HB 1767 unpacked…by Whatis5G.org 

Except where the Bill(s) provides exclusions, it pre-empts local authority in the rights-of-way to regulate:

1) the attachment of antennas to government poles and the pole- or ground-mounting of related equipment, to be used as “small wireless facilities;”

2) the suspension of aerial lines between poles and attachment of antennas upon those lines and the pole- or ground-mounting of related equipment, also to be used as “small wireless facilities;” and

3) the installation of new poles in the rights-of-way, and the attachment of antennas and pole- or ground-mounting of related equipment, to be used as “small wireless facilities.”

Keep in mind, for the pre-empted category of public right-of-way, once installed, despite the “collocation” provisions in the Bill(s), each site becomes an opportunity for expansion under the Spectrum Act. That Act permits eligible facilities in a public right-of-way to be increased in height by 10 feet, increased in width by 6 feet (think antennas), and for the equipment to be expanded, too. If you want to see how the height extension could be accomplished on an existing pole, go to today’s Tower Committee agenda regular application, and look at the pipe extension. 

The Bill(s), except where exclusions are provided, pre-empts local authority outside the public rights-of-way to regulate:

1) the attachment of antennas to government poles and the pole- or ground-mounting of related equipment, to be used as “small wireless facilities;”

2) the attachment of antennas and related facilities to government poles to be used as “small wireless facilities;” 

3) the attachment of antennas and facilities to any property that the government owns or manages any “wireless support structure,” which “means a structure that is designed to support or be capable of supporting wireless facilities.”

 Keep in mind, for the pre-empted category of outside a public right-of-way, which includes all of this second category and perhaps some of the right-of-way category above, once installed, despite the “collocation” provisions in the Bill(s), each site becomes an opportunity for expansion under the Spectrum Act. That Act permits eligible facilities outside a public right-of-way to be increased in height by 20 feet, and to be expanded in width by 20 feet, and for cabinetry to be expanded, too.