An Open Letter to Michigan House of Representatives: Before you vote on SB 637 & SB 894, the small cell wireless infrastructure bills...

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November 1, 2018

Dear Representative of the Great State of Michigan,

I hope this finds you well!

Today, November 1, 2018, the government admitted that wireless radiation can cause cancer and DNA-breaks:

• National Institute of Environmental Health Science:  National Toxicology Program releases final reports on rat and mouse studies of radio frequency radiation like that used in 2G and 3G cell phone technologies
• Wall Street Journal:  Scientists Find ‘Clear Evidence’ Cellphone Radiation Can Cause Cancer in Rats
• Joel M. Moskowitz, Ph.D.:  NTP Cell Phone Radiation Study: Final Reports
• Microwave News:  Cell Phone Radiation Leads to Cancer, Says U.S. NTP in Final Report | Rats Developed Rare Heart Tumor | Cancer Link Was Once Thought Impossible  
• US Brain Tumor Association:  $25 Million NIH Study Proves Wireless Technology Causes Cancer and DNA Damage | Scientific Evidence Enough for Class 1 Human Carcinogen-Scientists Demand 5G Moratorium

Unless you are in opposition to SB 637, the small wireless communications 36-page bill with a 17-page summary, and its companion bill SB 894 (another 7 pages), before you vote, please listen to some of the expert testimonies given in opposition to these bills.

"Wireless radiation has biological effects. Period. This is no longer a subject for debate when you look at PubMed and the peer-review literature. These effects are seen in all life forms; plants, animals, insects, microbes. In humans we have clear evidence of cancer now; there is no question. We have evidence of DNA damage, cardiomyopathy, which is the precursor of congestive heart failure, neuropsychiatric effects... 5G is an untested application of a technology that we know is harmful; we know it from the science. In academics this is called human subjects research." ~ excerpts from Dr. Sharon Goldberg's October 4, 2018 testimony to the House Energy Policy Committee in opposition ti SB 637 and SB 894. Dr. Goldberg is an internal medicine physician with 21 years experience. Dr. Goldberg's entire 14 minute testimony is HERE.

The FCC and telecommunications companies refer to the FCC safety standards as protective of public health, but they aren't.  The FCC's safety standards were not developed for chronic exposure to wireless radiation, the type of exposure common today, and the type of exposure that will increase exponentially with a small cell tower / DAS tower infrastructure that SB 637 and SB 894 facilitate.  We need to be reducing our exposure to radiofrequency radiation, as Dr. Goldberg mentions, not increasing it.

"This is about radiation... The FCC is staffed by former members of the telecommunications industry.  They're effectively indemnified against adverse health impact lawsuits whenthe acceptable limits are higher than the limits actually shown to cause harmful health effects." ~ excerpt from Senator Patrick Colbeck's May 29, 2018 testimony to the House Energy Policy Committee in opposition to SB 637 and SB 894.  Senator Colbeck's entire 11 minute testimony is HERE.

Respecting our need to close the digital divide in Michigan, please consider that hard-wired (coaxial cable, telephone cable, and fiber optics) is faster, safer, more secure, more reliable, and less expensive in the long-run, than wireless technology.  Plus, hard-wired does not expose us to exponentially greater levels of radiofrequency radiation now proven to cause cancer and DNA-breaks.

As shown in the brief you have received, Policy Guidance Regarding Wireless Radiation, the bottom graph on page 8 shows how the United States, Canada, and Australia have radiofrequency radiation exposure limits 100 times higher than the majority of the rest of the world, and 10 times higher than India and Israel.

Since insurance companies in the United States consistently exclude liability coverage for electromagnetic fields (which includes the radiofrequency radiation from transmitting utility meters, "smart" meters, cell phones, cell towers, small cells, DAS towers, and all other wireless devices and equipment), I request that you introduce an amendment to SB 637 that would place liability for adverse health effects on the telecommunications companies.  If they are so sure the FCC's safety limits are protective, they would have no reason to oppose such an amendment.  

As Senator Colbeck mentioned in his May 29, 2018 testimony, SB 637 usurps your authority of Article 4, Section 51, to protect the health and safety of the citizens of Michigan.  

Some representatives may believe that because of the FCC declaratory ruling their hands are tied regarding SB 637 and SB 894.  What they may not realize is that the FCC's order represents an unprecedented federal intrusion on local control and authority, and that cities and municipalities are already filing lawsuits against the FCC.  

"I think the FCC has wildly overstepped it's limitations." ~ Michigan municipal Attorney Mike Watza  

• Washington Post:  More than a dozen cities are challenging the FCC over how to deploy 5G cell sites
• Bloomberg Law: States, Cities Feud Over Wireless Network Small Cells
• American City & Town: Cities announce opposition, intent to sue FCC over new 5G rules
• ARS Technica: Cities will sue FCC to stop $2 billion giveaway to wireless carriers
• GT Government Technology: Portland, Ore., Prepares for a Fight with the FCC Over 5G Ruling
• Telecoms: US cities issue lawsuit threats against the FCC over 5G rules

Recognizing that my rights and the rights of every citizen of this great state are usurped by SB 637, SB 894, and the FCC declaratory ruling, you now have an opportunity to help preserve our rights and your oath of office by voting "no" on these two bills.  

From the movie Philadelphia, Andrew Beckett, who was an attorney, said, "It's that every now and again - not often, but occasionally - you get to be a part of justice being done.  That really is quite a thrill when that happens."   

You now have that opportunity to be part of justice being done by opposing SB 637 and SB 894, bills that facilitate the installations of cancer-causing, DNA-breaking wireless towers and antenna outside our children's windows.  Please choose justice for the people of Michigan.  Thank you.

Sincerely,

Jeanine Deal