The Public Safety Spectrum Alliance (PSSA) fired back at the Coalition for Emergency Response and Critical Infrastructure (CERCI) after it questioned PSSA's advocacy of the 4.9 band (see 2312200065). “Utilities are coming after the public safety 4.9 spectrum,” PSSA said in a statement: CERCI “has engaged in a campaign which misleads public safety leaders regarding the importance of preserving the 4.9 radio spectrum for public safety use.” The PSSA said the band should be assigned to a single nationwide licensee, which would “prevent an unwieldly patchwork of deployments across the nation and create the economies of scale necessary to speed deployment by maintaining a consistent set of build out regulations and creating the necessary incentives for the proliferation of new equipment and technologies.”
Members of the recently formed Coalition for Emergency Response and Critical Infrastructure (CERCI) slammed a recent filing by the Public Safety Spectrum Alliance (PSSA) on the future of the 4.9 GHz band. “By claiming that CERCI is ‘a thinly veiled attempt by commercial interests to hijack the 4.9 GHz band,’ PSSA devalues the role of our law enforcement organizations as members actively engaged with CERCI and seeks to undercut our support of continued local-public safety use and control of the 4.9 GHz band, including control over the decision of whether to lease access to non-interfering, compatible, critical-infrastructure industry users,” said a filing posted Wednesday in docket 07-100. The Major Cities Chiefs Association, the National Sheriffs’ Association and the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives signed the filing. “In contrast to CERCI’s substantial public-safety support, PSSA has not identified any current public-safety officials or associations as members or any members at all,” the groups said. CERCI launched in November (see 2311160052).
The Senate approved the NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act (S-1416) Monday night by unanimous consent, updating the National Weather Radio apparatus. S-1416 and House companion HR-1482 would require NOAA to upgrade infrastructure to improve reliable transmission of emergency alerts and reduce the system’s use of copper wire transmissions. In addition, the bills would require NOAA to increase NWR’s coverage to include 98%-99% of the U.S. population, including more rural areas. The House Science Committee advanced HR-1482 in March. “Gaps in weather radio coverage keep communities in the dark about incoming weather hazards,” which is “why I’m proud” the Senate passed S-1416, said Senate Commerce Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. “The threat from weather events is only increasing, especially with El Nino bringing atmospheric rivers and winter storms this season, and access to reliable, real-time alerts are more important than ever to keep their families safe and homes secure,” said Cantwell. Senate Commerce ranking member Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said S-1416 would “ensure Texans and all Americans have a fully functioning, reliable early warning system that communicates critical information during disasters.”
The American Farm Bureau Federation, National Association of Farm Broadcasting and 23 other agricultural groups backed the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (HR-3413/S-1669) in a Monday letter to the bill’s lead sponsors. The measure, which has faced headwinds in both chambers (see 2312060073), would require the Transportation Department to mandate automakers to include AM radio technology in future vehicles. The Senate Commerce Committee advanced S-1669 in July (see 2307270063). NAB, a strong supporter of HR-3413/S-1669, publicized the agricultural groups’ letter Tuesday. “Our members rely on AM radio and the vital services it provides daily. AM radio is a source of weather, commodity, and national farm policy updates for our members,” the agricultural groups wrote the four HR-3413/S-1669 lead sponsors -- Senate Commerce ranking member Ted Cruz, R-Texas; Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass.; Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark.; and Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J. “Access to radio becomes even more important for America’s producers in times of emergency. For those who work mostly out in the open, often miles from home, response time is critical. Whether a thunderstorm is developing, a tornado is moving closer, or wildfires are spreading, our members need a reliable form of communication to access critical information.” AM “radio stations are unparalleled in their range,” as a “single AM station can reach up to 700 miles away and travel through barriers like mountains and buildings,” the groups said. “When the power goes out, and cell towers go offline, radio is still available. While millions of rural Americans still lack broadband service, rural and agricultural programming through AM radio helps keep rural residents apprised of news that may impact their businesses, health care, education, and family.”
The following are short summaries of recent CBP NY rulings issued by the agency's National Commodity Specialist Division in New York:
President Joe Biden extended a national emergency that authorizes certain sanctions against human rights abuses and corruption, the White House said Dec. 18. The “prevalence” of human rights violations and corruption continues to threaten U.S. security, the White House said. The emergency was extended for one year beyond Dec. 20.
Charles McGonigal, a former FBI agent in the New York Counterintelligence Division, was sentenced to 50 months in prison for his work with sanctioned Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced in a Dec. 14 news release. McGonigal in August pleaded guilty to violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, including by, following his departure from the FBI, investigating a rival Russian oligarch in return for payments from Deripaska (see 2308160029).
Charles McGonigal, a former FBI agent in the New York Counterintelligence Division, was sentenced to 50 months in prison for his work with sanctioned Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced in a Dec. 14 news release. McGonigal in August pleaded guilty to violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, including by, following his departure from the FBI, investigating a rival Russian oligarch in return for payments from Deripaska (see 2308160029).
The House Foreign Affairs Committee on Dec. 13 advanced several bills that would revise U.S. export control regulations and procedures for dual-use technology.
The FirstNet Authority verified that AT&T’s initial buildout of the public safety network’s infrastructure on its band 14 spectrum is “fully complete” and the authority has “a big year ahead of us” in 2024, Board Chair Richard Carrizzo said during the group’s quarterly meeting Wednesday. The FCC renewed FirstNet's license for the band in May for a term “not to exceed 10 years” from Nov. 15, 2022 (see 2305260057).