Monday, March 29, 2021

Coalition Launches Petition and Letter Writing Campaign on #MoCo Cell Tower ZTA

 


LETTER CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED 

EMAIL COUNTY COUNCIL & EXECUTIVE TODAY!


The Montgomery County Council will soon vote on a radical zoning change: Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 19-07 will allow so-called “small" cell towers on utility poles, streetlights, and lamp posts just 30 feet from residents’ homes. Several "small" cell towers would be possible per block in every neighborhood -- including YOURS!

  • No direct notice to any resident -- Even if the cell tower would be smack in front of your home.
  • No public hearings either.

Even worse: With a special permit, cell towers could be far closer. No minimum setback at all!

We must act quickly, before the full Council votes -- They could vote at any time!

Click HERE TO JOIN OUR LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN and PETITION 

Webinar: Montgomery County 5G Small Cell Health, Climate and Environmental Effects

Register for An Expert Webinar "Montgomery County 5G Small Cell Information Session"

What are the Health and Environmental Effects of 5G Deployment in Montgomery County Maryland and How Will the Montgomery County County Council Proposed Cell Tower Zoning Affect Our Neighborhoods? 

  • Speaker: Theodora Scarato, Director of the Environmental Health Trust
  • Date: Tuesday, Mar 30, 2021
  • Time: 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1ul-d_c0R3-E4pYpR-yafw

What You Need to Know About Montgomery County, 5G and the New Zoning ZTA 19-07

The Montgomery County Council has proposed a new zoning ordinance named ZTA 19-07 which allows 4G and 5G so called "small" cell towers to be deployed just 30 feet from your home.  The street lights and utility poles in front of your home will be able to be replaced with 5G cell towers without any notice sent to you, nor public hearing required so long as the pole is at least 30 feet from your home.

A Montgomery County Maryland group MoCoSafeG  has invited Theodora Scarato to speak about the health and environmental issues related to 5G and 4G antenna densification.

TAKE ACTION NOW: CLICK HERE TO SEND A LETTER TO THE COUNCIL 

Research shows that unfettered 5G deployment would greatly increase the greenhouse gas emissions which are driving the climate crisis. Solutions exist to provide internet connections without forcing these cell towers into neighborhoods. Fiber networks are ten times more energy efficient, have no health risks, are cheaper and offer greater privacy protection.

Published research reviews warn that cell tower radiation can harm bees, birds, treesplants and wildlife. There are further substantial impacts to the tree canopy and wildlife from the digging and tree trimming necessary to deploy all of these antennas.

The cellular antennas on these poles will transmit radio frequency microwave (RF/MW) radiation 24/7 which has never been safety tested on people for long term exposure. Many doctors and scientists recommend a halt to 5G until safety research is performed due to the substantial body of research that already exists indicating current 3G and 4G technology is harmful at legal levels.  This issue is the center of a lawsuit in federal court launched by Environmental Health Trust-  now awaiting a court verdict.

Learn about the latest proposed cell tower zoning for Montgomery County and why doctors recommend caution.  Get your questions answered in this informative session on March 30th,  Monday at 7:00pm with expert Theodora Scarato MSW, Executive Director of the scientific think tank Environmental Health Trust.

Date: March 30th, Tuesday at 7:00pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1ul-d_c0R3-E4pYpR-yafw

EHT Website Link 

Please share this event on Facebook with this link.

TAKE ACTION NOW: CLICK HERE TO SEND A LETTER TO THE COUNCIL 



 

 About 5G in Montgomery County

The issue of 5G and cell towers has been before the council for several years now and every year residents call to halt cell towers in residential neighborhoods.  The issue has been the subject of several news stories and strong community opposition.

About Theodora Scarato MSW
Executive Director Environmental Health Trust 

Theodora Scarato MSW is Executive Director of Environmental Health Trust (EHT), a scientific think tank that publishes research and educates policymakers on environmental health issues. EHT scientists are among the leading independent voices calling for reducing wireless worldwide and launched a historic lawsuit against the FCC regarding their decades old wireless radiation exposure limits.

Scarato directs EHT educational programs, publishes research and coordinates scientific conferences and programs in the US and internationally alongside EHT’s Senior Science Advisors.  Scarato has co-authored several articles on electromagnetic field policy and  is a lead policy analyst and researcher for the EHT database on international actions– the most comprehensive collection of information on policy actions on cell phones and wireless.

Examples include

She was invited to present to the National Institutes of Health, the New Hampshire State 5G Commission, the San Francisco Teachers Union,  the University of California San Francisco, the Henley Business School at University of Reading and the American Federation of Teachers National Conference. She has presented at several US and international conferences on environmental health including the  2020 Tel Aviv Expert Forum, the Michigan State Briefing on 5G, the 2018 “The Dramatic Changes on the Planet and the Hellenic Roots of Ecological Ethics”  held at the University of Patras, Greece, the Hebrew University Medical School Expert Forum on Wireless and the Health in Buildings Roundtable Conference held at the National Institutes of Health.

Scarato helped coordinate the 2019 US medical conference designed exclusively to train medical professionals on electromagnetic radiation and also presented on worldwide EMF policy at the 2021 EMF Medical Conference.  She is on the board of PhoneGate Alert.

Lawsuit Press Coverage 

Washington DC Top News:  (WTOP) Federal appeals court hears case on FCC’s 5G safety standards“

Montgomery County News Reports 

 WJLA  Are mini-cell phone towers a health risk in your neighborhood?

DMV News: Debate continues over 5G wireless towers placed in residential areas

WJLA: Montgomery Co. considers 5G, but health concerns have residents protesting 

Montgomery Community Media Elrich Urges Council to Take Pause on Cell Tower Regulations

CBS National News: 5G service is coming – and so are health concerns over the towers that support it, 

Bethesda Beat: Revised 5G Antenna Bill Reignites Debate in Montgomery County 

ABC 7 WJLA Dozens debate over mini cell towers in Montgomery County 

 

Bethesda Magazine: Residents Speak Out Against Small Cell Antenna Towers at County Council Hearing

 

Washington Post: Montgomery County considers allowing cellular equipment closer to homes 

 

MYMC Media:Dozens Raise health concerns with small cells at hearing 

 

Investigative Journal Articles 

Washington Spectator, Wireless Hazards : An Expose on Industry Influence into 5G

Society of Environmental Journalists Journal, Is Wireless Technology an Environmental Health Risk?”  

The New Republic Is 5G Going to Kill Us All?  

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

Members of European Parliament “The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection: Conflicts of Interest, Corporate Capture and the Push for 5G.” (PDF)

Harvard Press BookCaptured Agency: How the Federal Communications Commission is Dominated by the Industries it Presumably Regulates” 

 

Investigate Europe’s Two Part Investigation on 5G

 

The Center for Public Integrity Investigations


Sunday, March 14, 2021

What Do "Small" Cell Towers Look Like?

 Dear Neighbors, 

A "small" cell is anything but small as each one can be as tall as 50 feet and erected right in front of your home.  Each small cell has a thick pole with transmitting antennas on top. Plus they will have an equipment cabinet which could be very large. 

Check it out. 























Montgomery County Council will vote soon on ZTA 19-07, which allows cell towers 30 feet—or less!—from our homes.

 Special thanks to TechWiseMoCoMD.org for this update! 

Your Urgent Response Requested: Please see below action alert and attached PDF to print and share. Our Countywide Petition Opposing ZTA 19-07 is in the works and will be posted at link provided. Please tell people that a petition will be ready within the next day or so.


Montgomery County Council will vote soon on ZTA 19-07, which allows cell towers 30 feet- from our homes.

This cell tower zoning bill ZTA 19-07, just passed the Montgomery County Planning, Housing, and Economic Development (PHED) Committee.

Without a public hearing or your permission, telecom carriers could install a 4G/5G wireless cell tower 30 feet from your home. With a special permit, cell towers would be allowed far closer.

If the recently revised ZTA 19-07 passes, these powerful antennas will expose you and your family to 24/7 radio-frequency (RF) radiation. Volumes of independent scientific studies indicate that this type of radiation is linked to serious health effects, as well as harm to trees, bees, and wildlife.

4G/5G cell antennas would be installed on utility poles, street lights, and light poles in parking lots. The antennas require large equipment boxes that can block drivers’ and pedestrians’ views-a special concern with children. The current proposal would allow cell towers just 150 feet apart, which could be every 2 to 3 homes.

Below are top issues raised around the U.S. and by your Montgomery County neighbors about wireless installations—especially 5G—placed so close to homes:

 * Health and safety hazards documented by independent researchers. * Premature to lock in new County rules under FCC’s outdated, 25-year-old Radiation Exposure Limits. * Landmark lawsuits against FCC likely to push FCC to finally align exposure limits with current independent science. * Environmental & economic injustice. * Does not solve the digital divide - only wired fiber can do that. * Soaring energy consumption, making climate change worse. * Harm to trees and wildlife. * Concerns about compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA). * Data security risks. * Privacy breaches. * Sinking property values. * Lack of transparency. * Lack of accountability.
* Surveillance/commodification of our private activities, without our knowledge or consent. * Bias towards industry—and its 5G propaganda—is short-circuiting elected officials’ duty to prioritize public interests.

Tell the County Council to OPPOSE ZTA 19-07
Get sample opposition letters, contact info for the councilmembers and petition link (coming soon) at:
To get action alerts and to get involved contact mocoSafeG. Email: info@mocosafeg.org - Website: mocosafeg.org

Sign the Petition, Call & Email the County Council TODAY!
Update created 3/14/21


Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Action Alert: Montgomery County Council to Vote on Cell Antennas Placed 30 Feet From Homes ZTA 19-07



The Montgomery County Planning, Housing, and Economic Development (PHED) Committee just voted for a new ZTA 19-07 that would allow a utility pole or street light at least 30 feet from your house to be swapped out with a new pole that has antennas. 

  • 30 FEET SETBACK

Cell antennas can now be placed 30 feet from our homes.

  • ZERO PUBLIC COMMENT & HEARINGS:

Antennas proposed for street lights or utility poles 30 feet or more from homes would be effectively automatically approved. There will be no notice nor hearings. 

  • WIDER POLES

New wider poles will be replacing the street lights and utility poles in order to hold the heavy equipment

  • TALLER STREET LIGHTS

 Our street lights will go up several feet higher to be capped with cellular antennas.


WHAT CAN YOU DO

Next step is this ZTA goes to the full council for a vote. Our elected officials need to hear from you by email, a real phone call and better yet- ask for a meeting. 

 

Please send and email to 

Send email to all Councilmembers: County.Council@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov


Gabe Albornoz 240-777-7959

Councilmember.Albornoz@montgomerycountymd.gov

View Staff List for Gabe Albornoz


Andrew Friedson 240-777-7828

Councilmember.Friedson@montgomerycountymd.gov

View Staff List for Andrew Friedson


Evan Glass 240-777-7966

Councilmember.Glass@montgomerycountymd.gov

View Staff List for Evan Glass


Tom Hucker 240-777-7960

Councilmember.Hucker@montgomerycountymd.gov

View Staff List for Tom Hucker


Will Jawando 240-777-7811 Councilmember.Jawando@montgomerycountymd.gov

View Staff List for Will Jawando


Sidney Katz 240-777-7906 Councilmember.Katz@montgomerycountymd.gov 

View Staff List for Sidney Katz


Nancy Navarro 240-777-7968 Councilmember.Navarro@montgomerycountymd.gov 

View Staff List for Nancy Navarro 



Tuesday, January 19, 2021

"Halt the 5G Rollout" Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health Article on Children and 5G


 

“In assessing causal evidence in environmental epidemiology, Bradford Hill himself pointed out that ‘the whole picture matters;’ he argued against prioritizing any subset of his famous nine criteria for causation. One’s overall assessment of the likelihood that an exposure causes a health condition should take into account a wide variety of evidence, including ‘biological plausibility’. After reviewing the evidence cited above, the writer, an experienced physician-epidemiologist, is convinced that RF-EMFs may well have serious human health effects.” 

-John William Frank of Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health entitled "Electromagnetic fields, 5G and health: what about the precautionary principle?"   

A new publication in the entitled "Electromagnetic fields, 5G and health: what about the precautionary principle?"by John William Frank of Usher InstituteUniversity of EdinburghEdinburgh, UK concludes that "one cannot dismiss the growing health concerns about RF-EMFs, especially in an era when higher population levels of exposure are occurring widely, due to the spatially dense transmitters which 5G systems require" and Frank " echoes the calls of others for a moratorium on the further roll-out of 5G systems globally."

The article identifies four "relevant sources of scientific uncertainty and concern": 

  • lack of clarity about precisely what technology is included in 5G; 
  • a rapidly accumulating body of laboratory studies documenting disruptive in vitro and in vivo effects of RF-EMFs—but one with many gaps in it; 
  • an almost total lack (as yet) of high-quality epidemiological studies of adverse human health effects from 5G EMF exposure specifically, but rapidly emerging epidemiological evidence of such effects from past generations of RF-EMF exposure; 
  • persistent allegations that some national telecommunications regulatory authorities do not base their RF-EMF safety policies on the latest science, related to unmanaged conflicts of interest.  

 FrankJW, Electromagnetic fields, 5G and health: what about the precautionary principle?

 

MONTGOMERY COUNTY COUNCILMEN WANT TO DOUSE US WITH WIRELESS

 ALL HANDS ON DECK


MONTGOMERY COUNTY COUNCILPERSONS WANT TO DOUSE US WITH WIRELESS 

SEE below... 

From the Offices of Councilmember Hans Riemer, Vice President Gabe Albornoz and Craig Rice 

Council Committee returns to zoning change for 5G wireless
With COVID-19 demonstrating the importance of wireless networks, Councilmembers supporting wireless infrastructure will make a final push.
PHED worksession on ZTA 19-07 is scheduled for Feb. 10 at 1:30 p.m.


ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 19, 2021—On Feb. 10, the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development (PHED) Committee will again consider ZTA 19-07, a zoning amendment that facilitates the deployment of next-generation wireless infrastructure. The new wireless antennas on utility poles and light poles will offer faster speeds, enhanced reliability and much greater capacity. Councilmember Hans Riemer, Council Vice President Gabe Albornoz and Councilmember Craig Rice sponsored the measure.

PHED Committee Chair Hans Riemer said, “Wireless is a critical issue for our economic future. COVID-19 has shown how much we need strong networks. Students are working at home over wireless networks. Employees are working remotely over wireless networks. Doctors are consulting with patients over wireless networks. We must update our zoning laws so that companies can continue building stronger wireless networks. Falling behind on wireless is unnecessary, untenable and frankly unconscionable.”

“The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently estimated that more than 60 percent of all health care institutions and 40 to 50 percent of all hospitals currently use some form of telehealth. During the pandemic, telehealth claims have increased more than 8,000 percent,” said Council Vice President Gabe Albornoz. “This will only grow in the future. It is vital that our hospitals and medical professionals have high functioning wireless network to serve patients.”

Education and Culture Committee Chair Craig Rice said, “This is an opportunity to use lessons learned from the pandemic as a positive force to reveal and implement resources that serve the critical needs of our residents. As co-chair of a national task force on the digital divide, I am reminded daily of policies that have limited our potential to fully exploit wireless capabilities. ZTA 19-07 is one step toward mitigating the effect of federal policies which have hampered our ability to adequately serve the communities we know so well. While this won’t address the inequitable access to broadband speeds for everyone, it is the start to ensuring our residents have the capacity they need to access the internet in their daily lives. The pandemic has simply revealed how critical the need is for fast, reliable connectivity for our students, businesses and medical professionals.”

Martin Rosendale, CEO of the Maryland Tech Council, added, “Rapid and equitable deployment of 5G technology is critical to maintaining a competitive business environment, expanding broadband services to be more inclusive, and supporting the technology infrastructure. ZTA 19-07 is a necessary step forward.”

Background on ZTA 19-07

When we make a call or download an email, our phones are connected to networks through antennas on top of distant buildings or radio towers. The next generation of wireless network technology will reach speeds and capacity normally only found with broadband cable or fiber access. This high-speed wireless technology is called 5G. To build 5G capacity in communities, networks require antennas close to the ground or at street level, such as on utility poles and light poles. At this time, Montgomery County’s zoning code does not allow wireless antennas on poles in residential areas. With most of the County off-limits, companies are not building networks here.

Accordingly, ZTA 19-07 includes the following provisions:

  • Allows wireless facilities on poles in the public right-of-way by right when those antennas are appropriately set back from the nearest building and by conditional use when they are closer, plus numerous other screening, color and size/height conditions. Conditional use requires a hearing.
  • Does not allow antennas on new poles that are closer than 30 feet to the nearest building.
  • Revises the conditional use process to comply with federal law and court decisions by
    • affixing deadlines to all steps in the process to meet federal shot clocks.
    • requiring that the hearing examiner’s inquiry must determine the least visually obstructive location when ensuring provision of service.
    • allowing the batching of applications.
    • directing that appeals of the hearing examiner’s decisions go straight to the Circuit Court.

The impact of this proposal is that the industry is incentivized to use poles that are setback further from residential buildings. When the setback distance is less than prescribed, a hearing is required so that impacted residents will be informed and will have the opportunity to advocate for another location that may be less obtrusive.

The sponsors, Riemer, Albornoz and Rice, introduced ZTA 19-07 in October of 2019, followed by a PHED workession in January 2020. PHED Chair Riemer, at the request of his PHED colleagues, postponed further worksessions to allow for litigation in the 9th Circuit Court to be resolved. The County joined a coalition of local governments across the country to challenge an FCC order that curtailed local governments’ authority to site wireless infrastructure. The 9th Circuit largely ruled in favor of the FCC, diminishing the role of local governments in siting wireless infrastructure.

5 Reasons for 5G Now
COVID-19 Shows How Wireless Networks Are 
More Important Than Ever

As we grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, Montgomery County residents are relying on communications networks now more than ever. Fiber optic and wireless networks work together to create connectivity. While the County has strong fiber optic networks, we cannot afford to slide to the wrong side of a digital divide in wireless networks. The County has long benefited from advance deployment of networks, both wireless and fiber optic. These deployments have happened because the private sector has invested in the County based on a legal framework that supports deployment. Today that framework is obsolete for the next generation of wireless, as the County no longer has a legal strategy for continued deployment of advanced wireless networks. They are prohibited in most of the County by the zoning code. While small wireless antennas are allowed in some urban areas, to attract the investment we need from private companies they must be allowed broadly in the County.

Montgomery County’s existing posture on small wireless infrastructure is untenable, unsustainable and undesirable. The time has come for the Council to embrace the future and legalize the future of wireless network technology throughout Montgomery County.

Distance Learning Relies on Wireless Networks

  • Montgomery County Public Schools' (MCPS) transition to distance learning because of the pandemic has shown us just how critical high-speed internet connectivity is to our kids’ education.
  • While many students and teachers are able to use their personal wired and wireless connections for the distance learning curriculum, not every family has access to a wired broadband connection. Some families are using their mobile devices as their internet provider for distance learning, either exclusively or episodically.
  • MCPS also filled the gaps by providing MiFi “hotspot” devices that run on wireless carrier networks. Even with these hotspots uneven coverage for our students continue to exist. As of November 2020, there are: 
    • 10,265 MiFi devices for students
    • 1,573 MiFi devices for staff
  • As data needs for curriculum and video communications increase--such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) applications--5G wireless networks are critical to delivering educational outcomes.

Telework Relies on Wireless Networks

  • Because of the pandemic, many residents are now working from home relying solely on their in-home broadband connections (wireless and wired) to get their jobs done. 
  • 70 percent of employers are adapting to the increased use of remote work, so much so that they expect to downsize their office space permanently, according to the recent CEO Outlook survey by the international consulting firm of KPMG. 
  • 5G provides complementary high-speed connectivity for these at-home workstations, allowing employees to be more productive.

Telemedicine Relies on Wireless Networks

  • The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of telemedicine, which will increasingly need higher and higher capacity wireless networks.
  • The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that more than 60 percent of all health care institutions and 40 to 50 percent of all hospitals currently use some form of telehealth. 
  • During the pandemic, telehealth claims have increased 8,336 percent.
  • The super-fast connectivity of 5G is unleashing advances in telemedicine through remote health sensors, real-time high-quality video, remote surgery, the quick transmission of massive imaging files, and much more.

Public Safety Relies on Wireless Networks

  • First responders currently rely largely on voice-only communication technology.
  • 5G will make possible advanced real-time situational awareness for first responders through high-quality video, sensors, and autonomous agents.
  • These advances will make our first responders able to work faster, smarter, and more safely.
  • 5G will also support Next Generation 911, which will not only improve location accuracy, but also allow callers to send video and other multimedia data to dispatchers.

5G Brings Broadband Speeds to More People

  • The pandemic has highlighted the divide between those who have access to the latest communications technology and those that do not.
  • For instance, the recent OLO Report on Telehealth equity noted, “the most significant barrier to telehealth is access to technology, often due to low socioeconomic status and the limitation of infrastructure. Stable internet connection and technological devices are essential and not available to everyone. Some specific impacts include: (1) digital literacy and acceptance of technology amongst older adults, black and brown patients, and non-English speaking patients; (2) individuals with disabilities may have issues with telehealth; and (3) individuals in rural areas in which access to broadband internet is limited. 
  • The ubiquitous deployment of 5G will put high-speed broadband access in the hands of everyone with a cell phone.