Low Power FM Radio on the horizon finally

It seems that we may be able to get licenses for Low Power FM Radio stations again. The FCC had an all too brief window open in 2000 and it's been closed since then. Low Power FM allows you to run a station of 100 Watts or less for "community" services. This would give a range of about 10 miles. Where we live is about 30 miles from Bellingham, WA and we can receive a couple of stations but no NPR, none of the classical stations and the majority of the stations that we can receive are Canadian -- some good programming but nothing that serves our community. I am involved in the startup of a 501(c)3 Foundation and getting a station is one of our priorities. In addition to providing local news and programming, there is a huge Slavic community out here and it would be awesome to get them involved in programming in their own language. We did have a 10 Watt pirate radio station that was run for a number of years by an electrical engineer but he passed away suddenly and the station is now off-air. News on this development can be found at FMQB:

Hearing Held On Low Power FM
A hearing was held on Thursday by the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet regarding the Local Community Radio Act (H.R. 1147). FCC Audio Division Chief Peter Doyle testified on behalf of the bill, which would allow the FCC to license thousands of Low Power FM community radio stations across the country. Also testifying on behalf of low power radio was Cheryl Leanza, representing the United Church of Christ, the Prometheus Radio Project, and the more than 200 radio stations of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters. Four new co-sponsors signed onto the bill Thursday, bringing the total to 58.

U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (PA), who introduced the bill, explained why the bipartisan legislation is needed. "In 2000, the Federal Communications Commission started to create new community radio stations, run by local schools, churches, community groups and governments. They did this because their mission from Congress is not to help entrenched lobbies, but to make sure that as many Americans as possible have access to the public�s airwaves to fulfill a basic human need � the right to communicate. But responding to broadcasters� concerns, Congress called time out and asked for an independent study to examine the issue. The premise of Congress� decision to order the study was that if the study confirmed the FCC�s findings, Congress would remove its prohibition on the FCC, and allow it to fully implement community radio. The study came back, agreed with the FCC that these stations can be created without harming listeners. And through two unanimous, bipartisan votes, the FCC has twice now recommended that Congress do so. I am asking Congress to keep its part of the bargain."

Leanza said in her testimony, "This is radio that speaks directly to the questions and concerns of the day, unfiltered through large corporate entities or boardroom decisions. Instead, community organizations and volunteers put blood, sweat and tears into the daily effort of bringing the culture, news, and local events to their towns and neighborhoods."

It is very interesting to note that the two primary groups opposing this are the National Association of broadcasters (no big surprise there -- they represent "big radio") and National Public Radio (surprise -- I guess they foster alternative media but it can only be their alternative media.)