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If you need the complete document, download the WordPerfect version or Adobe Acrobat version, if available. ***************************************************************** Before the DA 93-1350 FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20554 In the Matter of ) ) Guidelines for Evaluating the ) Environmental Effects of ) ET Docket No. 93-62 Radiofrequency Radiation ) ORDER EXTENDING TIME FOR COMMENTS AND REPLY COMMENTS Adopted: November 8, 1993; Released: November 9, 1993 Comment Date: January 11, 1994 Reply Comment Date: February 10, 1994 By the Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology 1. On November 2, 1993, CBS Inc. ("CBS") and Capital Cities/ABC Inc. ("Capital Cities"), licensees of AM, FM and television broadcast stations, filed with the Commission a "Request for Extension of Time" in the above-named proceeding. CBS and Capital Cities requested that the Commission extend, by a period of sixty (60) days, the time for filing comments and reply comments. A similar request was filed by Hammett and Edison, Inc., a broadcast consulting firm, on November 2, 1993. 2. The deadline originally established for filing comments was August 13, 1993, and the date for reply comments was September 13, 1993. Previously, on August 3, 1993, the Commission granted a request filed by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) for an extension of time of ninety (90) days for filing comments and reply comments. This action established a new deadline for filing comments of November 12, 1993, and a new deadline for reply comments of December 13, 1993. 3. The previous extension was granted to allow NAB time to complete a study commissioned to develop non-measurement based techniques for determining compliance with new guidelines for human exposure to radiofrequency (RF) fields proposed for adoption by the Commission. The Commission has proposed to incorporate into its rules the newly revised standard of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and designated IEEE C95.1-1991 (also ANSI/IEEE C95.1-1992). CBS and Capital Cities have requested the latest extension in order to complete their analysis of recent data and information, including results from the NAB study and experimental results from the laboratory of Dr. Om P. Gandhi, that have become available relative to broadcaster compliance with the new guidelines. 4. CBS, Capital Cities, and Hammett and Edison note that the new information with respect to the consequences of the proposed guidelines has only recently become available. CBS and Capital Cities state that preliminary assessment of this information suggests that adoption of the guidelines, especially those that relate to induced RF currents, may significantly impact broadcasters. Hammett and Edison also have indicated that the new data is likely to affect implementation requirements for broadcasters. CBS and Capital Cities maintain that additional time is necessary to consider the implications of the new data, both to determine whether further study is required and to assess the effect that the proposed guidelines will have on broadcast operations. 5. CBS and Capital Cities believe that additional time is required to allow broadcasters to conduct field measurements to evaluate the new theoretical and experimental results. They also point out that the equipment necessary to make such measurements has not been readily available commercially, further justifying the need for additional time. 6. The Commission does not routinely grant requests for extensions of time. However, we recognize the complexity of the issues raised by the new exposure guidelines and the difficulties in developing reasonable methods by which compliance can be evaluated. In this regard, it is clear to us that there is a need for additional data and analysis, particularly with respect to the new guidelines for induced and contact currents. If by granting this request for an extension meaningful insights can be gained into these issues, it appears that such an extension will benefit all concerned parties. 7. An extension could delay somewhat the implementation schedule for new guidelines. However, by providing further opportunity to acquire information needed for accurate and reasonable procedures and methods, an extension may actually facilitate the process of guideline implementation. It appears that there is adequate justification to support these requests, and we believe that the public interest will best be served by an extension. 8. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED THAT the deadline for filing comments IS EXTENDED to January 11, 1994, and the deadline for filing reply comments IS EXTENDED to February 10, 1994. This action is taken pursuant to Sections 4(i) and 303 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Sections 154(i) and 303, and pursuant to Sections 0.31, 0.241 and 1.46 of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R. Sections 0.31, 0.241 and 1.46. Federal Communications Commission Thomas P. Stanley Chief Engineer