Category: Cell towers
Insects in crisis: Murder by Emoji
The Washington Post recently reported “‘Hyperalarming’ study shows massive insect loss” stating, “Insects around the world are in a crisis, according to a small but growing number of long-term studies showing dramatic declines in invertebrate populations. A new report suggests that the problem is more widespread than scientists realized. Huge numbers of bugs have been lost in a pristine national forest in Puerto Rico, the study found, and the forest’s insect-eating animals have gone missing, too.” 
The report blames climate warming for the declines. But what about the toxic Electro soup (cell phones, cell towers, smart meters, IoT, radar cars, etc.) as a potential cause? In this video below, the link between the alarming insect decline and electromagnetic radiation is investigated.
Take action to stop 5G Senate Bill S.3157
The Federal government is once again trying to take away local authority over cell towers. Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced the STREAMLINE Small Cell Deployment Act (S.3157).
S. 3157 is similar to a California Senate bill, SB 649, which would have stripped local authority over cell towers. Governor Brown vetoed SB 649 in October 2017.
The National League of Cities (NLC) opposes S. 3157. They wrote, “Despite urging from NLC and other local government advocates during the bill’s drafting phase, many preemptive provisions remain in the bill, including limiting the actions local governments can take on small cell wireless facility siting in an effort to make deployments cheaper, faster, and more consistent across jurisdictions.”
Here’s an easy way to take action. They NLC will send a letter directly to your representatives in Congress for you. You will need to insert your zip code, (and maybe your full address), and then the letter template will appear.
PLEASE NOTE: Instead of using their letter, which has statements of support for small cells, copy and paste the words below.
As a constituent, I am writing to express my opposition to the “Streamlining The Rapid Evolution And Modernization of Leading-edge Infrastructure Necessary to Enhance (STREAMLINE) Small Cell Deployment Act” (S. 3157).
S. 3157 is similar to a California bill (SB 649) which would have created a state mandated system of cell towers and eliminated local review and safety oversight. SB 649 was opposed by 300 cities, 47 counties and over 100 community, planning, health, environment and justice organizations. SB 649 was vetoed SB 649 by Governor Brown on October 15, 2017.
The threat of public and environmental harm from wireless radiation is real and growing. Local control is needed to ensure community safety, welfare and compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
Peer-reviewed published science shows wireless radiation harms public health and nature. Health effects include: fatigue, headaches, sleep problems, anxiety, ringing in the ears, heart problems, learning and memory disorders, increased cancer risk, and more. Children, the ill, and the elderly are more vulnerable.
International independent scientists are calling for biologically-based public exposure standards and reducing wireless radiation.
S. 3157 represents a direct affront to traditionally-held local authority. S. 3157 introduces an unnecessary, one-size-fits-all preemption of local jurisdiction. The bill also imposes unfair and inappropriate timelines on local governments.
For more information see this joint letter to Congress asking you to oppose any and all bills related to 5G and wireless radiation expansion: http://emfsafetynetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Letter-to-Congress-2017-1.pdf
Thank you!
Verizon withdraws application for “small cell” towers in Sebastopol.
On February 6, 2018 Verizon applied for a major use permit to install two “small cell” towers in Sebastopol at Hutchins and S. Gravenstein, and at McFarlane and Woodland.
EMF Safety Network (EMFSN) opposed Verizon’s application in a letter sent May 29 stating, “The proposed towers would add unsightly equipment, overload poles, devalue property, and increase radio frequency radiation in our neighborhoods.” EMFSN presented peer-reviewed published science which shows cell tower radiation harms people and the environment.
In addition EMFSN retained Best Best and Krieger attorney Gail Karish to draft a letter outlining the legal ways a California city can deny a “small cell” in the public rights of way, and presented this letter to Sebastopol on April 24th..
On Thursday, May 31 Dana Morrison, Sebastopol assistant planner wrote, “This email is to inform you that this application, which was scheduled for a Planning Commission Public Hearing on June 12, 2018, has been withdrawn by the applicant. “
Sandi Maurer, Director of the EMF Safety Network said, ”We’re thrilled Verizon backed out. Wireless has become pollution, and we need to reduce, for example save corded landlines and use cell phones for emergencies, to better protect public health and the environment.”
Local Authority Over Wireless Facilities in Public Rights-of-Way
EMF Safety Network engaged Best Best and Krieger partner Gail Karish to provide the legal means in which a California city can deny a small cell application in the public rights of way (PROW). Attorney Karish presents this information alongside the limitations on local authority in order to know the full scope of what a city can and can’t do.
Although the attorney has addressed the City of Sebastopol, the letter and legal advice is applicable and can be presented to any California city so they can know they are not powerless over small cell deployments.
April 24 2018 Letter to EMF Safety Network re: small cell
Governor Brown Vetoes SB 649!
On Sunday Oct. 15, 2017 Senate Bill 649 has been vetoed by Governor Jerry Brown. SB 649 would have created a state mandated system of cell towers every couple hundred feet apart in California. 300 cities, 47 counties and over 100 community, planning, health, environment and justice organizations opposed SB 649.
EMF Safety Network and Ecological Options Network opposed SB 649 since the bill was introduced in March because cell towers emit harmful radiation. The bill would have allowed unlimited refrigerator-size cell equipment on utility poles, streetlights, sidewalks, in parks, on schools and public buildings with no safety oversight.
Sandi Maurer, Director of EMF Safety Network said, “We mailed Governor Brown a couple thousand postcards depicting SB 649 as a slobbering warty monster wielding a zapping cell tower and asked him to veto SB 649. We are thrilled and relieved Governor Brown vetoed this bill.”
Mary Beth Brangan co-director of EON said, “Now we need to prepare ourselves for the next state and federal telecom push, where they will try again with bills to overtake local authority and disregard public health.”
Governor Brown’s veto statement: 
See this post for more information about SB 649: http://emfsafetynetwork.org/stop-sb-649-in-california/
Thank you to everyone who helped achieve this victory and to all the cities, counties and organizations opposed. This is a win not only for California but for the rest of the United States!
Please thank Governor Brown for vetoing SB 649! You can contact him on his website, call or send a card in the mail: https://govapps.gov.ca.gov/gov39mail/
phone: (916) 445-2841
Governor Jerry Brown
c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814
We mailed your postcards to Governor Brown to Veto SB 649!
SB 649 barely passes Assembly and Senate moves to the Governor
On Sept.13, the California Assembly voted on SB 649, the bill that would allow cell towers on every block. On the first vote, the bill did not get enough votes to pass. On the second it passed, but just barely. On Sept. 14 the Senate also barely passed the bill. Now SB 649 goes to the Governor’s desk. Since the bill received less than 50 votes in the Assembly, that could help support a veto. The Governor has until October 15 to sign or veto the bill.
UPDATE! Governor Jerry Brown VETOED SB 649. Please thank him!
Governor Jerry Brown
c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 445-2841 Fax: (916) 558-3160
Learn more about SB 649 here: http://emfsafetynetwork.org/stop-sb-649-in-california/
How did your representative vote on SB 649? If they voted NO, or did not vote please consider sending them a thank you. If they votes yes, you can let them know you are disappointed with their vote.
Assembly person: 16 Noes: Baker, Caballero, Chiu, Cooley, Eggman, Cristina Garcia, Kalra, Levine, Muratsuchi, Nazarian, O’Donnell, Quirk-Silva, Ridley-Thomas, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting
17 No Votes Recorded: Berman, Bloom, Bonta, Calderon, Chau, Chu, Cunningham, Dahle, Friedman, Gallagher, Eduardo Garcia, Holden, Limón, Mullin, Reyes, Wood, Rendon
46 Ayes: Acosta, Aguiar-Curry, Travis Allen, Arambula, Bigelow, Bocanegra, Brough, Burke, Cervantes, Chávez, Chen, Choi, Cooper, Dababneh, Daly, Flora, Fong, Frazier, Gipson, Gloria, Gonzalez Fletcher, Gray, Grayson, Harper, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Kiley, Lackey, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Obernolte, Patterson, Quirk, Rodriguez, Rubio, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Voepel, Waldron, Weber
Senators: 10 Noes: Allen, Beall, Glazer, Hill, Jackson, Leyva, McGuire, Monning, Portantino, Wieckowski
8 No Votes Recorded: Bradford, Galgiani, Mendoza, Mitchell, Moorlach, Newman, Roth, Stern
22 Ayes: Anderson, Atkins, Bates, Berryhill, Cannella, De León, Dodd, Fuller, Gaines, Hernandez, Hertzberg, Hueso, Lara, Morrell, Nguyen, Nielsen, Pan, Skinner, Stone, Vidak, Wiener, Wilk