Verizon telecommunication gaint continues it’s quite roll out of the conterversial 5g network. Studies show repeatedly, powerful electromagnetic radiation harms biological systems. The 5g network will be exponentially more powerful than the versions prior. What’s more, transition towers are needed every 1000ft give or take to push the information laden 5g signal.
Awareness in the harm EMF radiation can and does cause is growing, we need more action. A county along the New Jersey shore reportedly blocked an application by Verizon to install five new towers along the boardwalk. This boardwalk along the Atlantic seashore is home to a few endangered species The county cited among other reasons the application was incomplete. Verizon instead of refiling the application to meet requirements completing the application filed a law suite against the county.
What I found interesting was Verizon’s cause of action.
“it sued the county in federal court, alleging Federal Communication Commission (FCC) rules preempted state and local laws about the project.
In its complaint, Verizon alleged the county did not support its decision with substantial evidence and asked the court for declaratory and injunctive relief so Verizon could begin installing its 5G towers along Belmar’s public rights-of-way area.
Verizon also contended that Monmouth County couldn’t stand in its way because the Telecommunications Act of 1996 preempts state and local regulation of environmental effects of wireless infrastructures’ radiofrequency (RF) radiation emissions, as long as the infrastructures “comply with the FCC’s regulations concerning such emissions.”
“Stated simply,” McCollough said, “Verizon claims the Federal Communication Commission’s rules and Telecommunications Act of 1996 preempt much of New Jersey and federal law on threatened and endangered species.”
The lawsuit highlights the issue of what occurs when a wireless company wants to put its infrastructure right next to an endangered species’ habitat.
“What happens if there’s threatened or endangered species right there?” McCollough said. “Who — as in what regulatory agency or set of local officials — gets to look at that? Who gets to decide whether there may be an impact on those species and can that be a basis for denying the company’s application?”
Many environmental health experts say the FCC’s regulations on RF radiation are decades out-of-date and fail to protect humans and non-human species from harm.
Colleen Sullivan Palus, a Belmar resident and member of the Belmar Environmental Commission, agreed. She told The Defender:
“I remain optimistic that the courts will make the necessary decisions to protect the integrity of Belmar’s coastline and its endangered species in compliance with federal and state laws.”
scales of justice
Your support helps fund this work, and CHD’s related advocacy, education and scientific research.
Donate Now
5G towers threaten species ‘at risk of disappearing forever’
For the last five years, Verizon has been trying to install at least nine 5G towers, each over 35 feet tall, along Belmar’s beach blocks — something that Sullivan Palus and other residents fiercely oppose.
Sullivan Palus said in a May 25 letter to the editor of The Coast Star, “As a coastal community, it is our civic and moral responsibility to be good stewards of our environment. Our beautiful town is home to a variety of unique bird species, many of which are endangered and at risk of disappearing forever.”.
https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/chd-verizon-new-jersey-telecom-giants-permits-5g-towers/?utm_source=luminate&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=defender-wk&utm_id=20231001
