Report No. DC 96-112       ACTION IN DOCKET CASE          December 23, 1996


       FCC EXTENDS TRANSITION PERIOD FOR DETERMINING COMPLIANCE WITH  
                    NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR EVALUATING THE
            ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF RF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
                      FROM FCC-REGULATED TRANSMITTERS
                           (ET DOCKET NO. 93-62)

     The Commission has amended its rules to extend the
transition period for applicants and station licensees to
determine compliance with the new requirements for evaluating the
environmental effects of radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic
fields from FCC-regulated transmitters.  

     In 1985, the Commission adopted rules for evaluating the
environmental effects of RF electromagnetic fields produced by
FCC-regulated transmitters.  In August 1996, the Commission
amended those rules by provided for the use of new guidelines and
methods, and established a transition period, until January 1,
1997, for applicants and stations to come into compliance with
the new requirements.

     The American Radio Relay League, Inc., Ameritech Mobile
Communications, Inc., AT&T Wireless Services, Inc., BellSouth
Corporation, Paging Network, Inc., the Personal Communications
Industry Association and U S West filed petitions asking the
Commission to extend the transition period beyond January 1,
1997, arguing that the existing transition period failed to
provide adequate time for affected parties to achieve compliance
with the new rules.

     The Commission stated that, based on the petitions and
comments, it is clear that most station applicants will need
additional time to determine that they comply with the new
requirements.  The Commission noted that an extension of the
transition period would: 1) eliminate the need for the filing and
granting of individual waiver requests; 2) allow time for
applicants and licensees to review the results of the decisions 
that will be taken in the near future addressing other issues
raised in petitions; and 3) permit applicants to review a revised

                                  -more-

                                    -2-

information bulletin and make the necessary measurements or
calculations to determine that they are in compliance.

     The Commission indicated that it did not concur with 
petitioners who suggest that granting any extension of the
transition period will have significant adverse effects on public
health.

     Therefore, the Commission has extended the transition period
to September 1, 1997, for most radio services.  For the Amateur
Radio Service, the transition period has been extended to January
1, 1998.  Additionally, the Commission will allow changes to
amateur radio operator license examinations to be made as the
examinations are routinely revised between now and July 1, 1998. 
The Commission believes that these extensions are necessary so
that applicants and licensees will have adequate time to
understand the new requirements and to ensure that their
facilities are in compliance with them.

     Action by the Commission December 23, 1996, by First
Memorandum Opinion and Order (FCC 96-487).  Chairman Hundt, 
Commissioners Quello, Ness, and Chong.

                                   -FCC-

     News Media contact: Patricia A. Chew at (202) 418-0500.
     Office of Engineering and Technology contact: Rick Engelman
at (202) 418-2445 and Robert Cleveland (202) 418-2422.