Opinion ID: 767846
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Categorical Exclusions

Text: 36 The Commission concluded that tower-mounted antennae placed more than 10 meters above ground and rooftop antennae transmitting at less than 1000 watts would offer little or no potential for exposure in excess of the specified guidelines and that it would not be cost-effective to require routine environmental evaluation of such facilities. First Order, 11 F.C.C. Rcd. at 86. Petitioners argue that these categorical exemptions from having to file routine EAs are arbitrary and capricious because (1) there may be situations where radiation from such facilities can lead to overexposure behind walls in nearby buildings; and (2) the categorical exemptions ignore constructive interference stemming from multiple antennas or reflections from conductive surfaces, creating hot spots where RF radiation levels exceed MPE levels. Missing from the exemption rules, petitioners argue, are rules for when an owner must consider other nearby sources of radiation and rules establishing a public database to facilitate public monitoring. We disagree. 37 In establishing the categorical exemptions, the Commission conducted a worst-case analysis that considered the effects of multiple antennas mounted on a single tower, and determined that radiation levels in publicly available areas will be many times below MPE levels. The Commission also ensured that combined exposure from multiple towers would be considered by license applicants by charging them with the responsibility of ensuring that their facilities would comply with the MPE rules anywhere their emissions are at least 5% of MPE levels. The FCC's approach was rational. Agencies are permitted to promulgate rules based on cost/benefit analysis. See Motor Vehicle Mfrs. Ass'n, 463 U.S. at 54. In light of the low probability of excluded facilities violating MPE levels, it was reasonable to conclude that there was no need for increased compliance monitoring devices such as a central database. Moreover, the licensees are still responsible for compliance, and an interested person can petition the FCC for review of a site believed to violate the MPE levels. See 47 C.F.R. 1.1307(c).