Expand Low Power FM in Congress

To my Congressional Representative,

As a concerned and dedicated member of my local community, I am writing in support of Low Power FM Radio.

This non-commercial, local radio service connects workers, families, and Americans like myself to our communities. We'd like you to think of us, and act to expand community radio in my area by introducing a bill in the House of Representatives that would expand communities' access to low power FM. We desperately needs a bill that would allow local groups to build low power FM radio stations in urban areas, and in thousands of communities across the country.

In 2000, Congress limited low power FM radio to rural towns, out of a concern that these tiny 100-watt stations would interfere with full power stations, especially in big cities. Congress asked the FCC to study this potential interference and to report back to them. In response,the Federal Communications Commission commissioned the MITRE Corporation to study the potential interference low power FM radio supposedly caused. $2.2 million later, the study proved, once and for all, that LPFM causes negligible interference, and is definitely possible in big cities as well as small communities. The FCC asked Congress to move to expand low power FM -- and now I am asking Congress to expand low power FM as well.

There are 800 stations on the air across the country, but there is room for thousands, and we need low power FM more than ever, to spread emergency information, local political information, news, culture, and entertainment. Senators John McCain and Maria Cantwell are about to introduce legislation to expand low power FM radio to many of America's biggest cities. We need low power radio in our communities, and therefore we need leaders in the House of Representatives to join the Senate, and introduce this essential bill. I ask that you support the expansion of this great community service by introducing a bill in the Telecommunications Subcommittee in the House of Representatives, as soon as possible.