McCain Introduces Low Power FM Legislation

On the fifth anniversary of a Federal Communications Commission rulemaking that authorized the creation of the Low Power FM radio service, a trio of senators introduced a bill that would enable the FCC to license scores more LPFM stations by eliminating third adjacent channel protections.

Senators John McCain, Rep., Ariz., Maria Cantwell, Dem., Wash., and Patrick Leahy, Dem., Vt., claim the Local Community Radio Act of 2005 would eliminate "costly and redundant" interference studies and "ensure the availability of radio spectrum for low power FM radio stations."

In 2000, following relentless lobbying by the National Assn. of Broadcasters, Congress passed legislation that required LPFM stations to adhere to third adjacent channel protections to avoid potential interference to existing full-power stations. Opponents of the legislation said it would water down LPFM's potential by drastically scaling back the number of low power stations the FCC could license.

The following year, McCain introduced the Low-Power Radio Act of 2001, which would have permitted more low power stations to hit the air while requiring the Commission to intercede when LPFM stations were causing interference to full power stations. That bill was never passed.

The new legislation coincides with today's FCC forum on LPFM in Washington and with low power radio supporters meeting with members of Congress.

In a statement, McCain said LPFM implementation has been "severely hampered by commercial broadcasters' flagrantly exaggerated claims of interference. The most recent obstruction, a two year study conducted at the behest of broadcasters, cost taxpayers over two million dollars and proved what the FCC and community groups have known for years: Low Power FM stations will not cause significant interference to other broadcasters' signals. It is time for broadcasters to stop hiding behind false claims of interference when they are really afraid of the competition from truly local broadcasters."

Cantwell added: "This is an important fight to ensure that these affordable, community-oriented radio stations are allowed access to our nation's airwaves."

Leahy said, "For too long now the number of low power FM stations the FCC could license has been limited by unrealistic and unnecessary rules requiring these smaller stations to search for available frequencies far from any full-power broadcaster. This bill will open up the airwaves to truly local broadcasting while protecting full-power broadcasters from unreasonable interference and preserving important services such as reading services for the blind."