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The BALANCE GROUP files comments to the National Council on Disability (NCD) concerning Human Radiofrequency (RF) Exposure Standards

5/12/2022

 
Attached please find the Public Comments of THE BALANCE GROUP to the May 12, 2022, Quarterly Business Meeting.

These comments concern Human Radiofrequency (RF) Radiation exposure and recent directly related federal court and administrative agency proceedings.

​Overall, the comments provide a brief summary of core issues related to electromagnetic radiofrequency radiation (RF) exposure for placement into the National Council on Disability’s (NCD) record. It is recommended that NCD (i) review these materials and then (ii) schedule a hearing and open the record for comments regarding the establishment of an action plan for protecting people with disabilities who are impacted or may be subject to harmful impact.
national_council_on_disability_11may2022__final.pdf
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Solar Storm Destroys 40 New SpaceX Satellites in Orbit

2/11/2022

 
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Link to article: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/09/science/spacex-satellites-storm.html 

Solar Storm Knocks SpaceX Satellites Out of Orbit

2/9/2022

 
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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Spacex’s newest fleet of satellites is tumbling out of orbit after being struck by a solar storm. Up to 40 of the 49 small satellites launched last week have either reentered the atmosphere and burned up, or are on the verge of doing so, the company said in an online update Tuesday night. SpaceX said a geomagnetic storm last Friday made the atmosphere denser, which increased the drag on the Starlink satellites...


Article link: www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/spacex-satellites-falling-out-of-orbit-after-solar-storm/ar-AATEBbH?ocid=msedgntpp 

The BALANCE GROUP filed Comments at the FCC Opposing SpaceX's next-generation (Gen2) satellite network launch and operating authority request.

2/8/2022

 
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The main filing and its three (3) attachments are here.
balance_group_comments_opposition_and_motions_to_spacex_launch_and_0perating__feb_8_2022_.pdf
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attachment_1_balance_group_opposition_and_motions_to_spacex_application_for_major_modification_v_final_may_27_2020__1_.pdf
File Size: 1553 kb
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attachment_2_balance_group_notice_of_appeal.pdf
File Size: 796 kb
File Type: pdf
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attachment_3_viasat_balance_group_opening_brief.pdf
File Size: 583 kb
File Type: pdf
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AT&T and Verizon will change their 5G plans after airlines warn of flight chaos

1/18/2022

 
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Article link: ​https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/18/business/att-verizon-5g-airlines.html 

AT&T, Verizon Refuse FAA Request to Delay 5G Launch

1/2/2022

 
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Article link: www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-verizon-refuse-faa-request-to-delay-5g-launch-11641146719?mod=djemalertNEWS

What a Year!

12/29/2021

 

2021: A Successful Year At A Glance

  • December 21st, 2021: The Balance Group drafts and files an HHS/FDA petition on RF exposure for Americans for Responsible Technology, Environmental Health Trust, and a variety of other co-petitioners
  • October 13th, 2021: The Balance Group files a reply brief (jointly with ViaSat): Environmental & Human Impact Review Is Necessary Regarding SpaceX-Starlink Satellite Mega-Constellation
  • August 13th, 2021: The DC Circuit court rules that the FCC "failed to provide a reasoned explanation for its determination that its guidelines adequately protected" humans from negative health effects unrelated to cancer. The court also stated the FCC showed "a complete failure to respond to comments concerning environmental harm caused by RF radiation." Two amicus briefs were filed in the case by Balance Group co-founders.
  • August 6th, 2021: The Balance Group files a legal brief (jointly with ViaSat) challenging the FCC's approving the launch of the largest satellite mega-constellation in human history because its impacts remain largely unstudied.
  • May 27th, 2021: The Balance Group files a Notice of Appeal in the Federal Court of Appeals for the Washington DC Circuit concerning the FCC’s ruling to approve a major modification to the world's largest planned satellite network without an environmental impact assessment as required by NEPA, let alone any apparently reasonably sufficient safeguards concerning cybersecurity, insurance and other protections.

Thank You For All Your Support

Our membership has grown this year, and we want to thank you for all your support. The Balance Group exists to provide a balanced approach to solving large, systemic issues concerning existing and proposed man-made systems and their impact on the human condition and the environment at large. We wouldn’t be able to do this important work without the backing of our incredible members.
Invite your colleagues and friends to join our membership as well! Our members include astronomers, physicists, scientists, environmentalists, technologists, telecommunications experts and medical professionals, among others. Our members are also people interested in balancing the needs for technology with those of healthy ecosystems and a clean environment.

We'll see you in 2022, Happy New Year!

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The Balance Group drafts and files an HHS/FDA petition on RF exposure for Americans for Responsible Technology, Environmental Health Trust, and a variety of other co-petitioners

12/21/2021

 
Summary (see the attached file for the full petition)

Petitioner AMERICANS FOR RESPONSIBLE TECHNOLOGY (ART), a not-for-profit coalition of more than 150 allied organizations and other petitioners Environmental Health Trust, Consumers for Safe Cell Phones, California Brain Tumor Association, Tahoe Stewards, Manhattan Neighbors for Safer Telecommunications, Sally Jewell Coxe and Robert Strayton hereby respectfully request that the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), within 30 days, issue a Declaration with enabling regulations, that an Imminent Hazard to public health currently exists, and to promptly ensure that this Declaration is communicated affirmatively to all public and private entities that are affected by the Imminent Hazard. We submit this Petition in the form required by 21 CFR Section 10.30 pursuant to 21 U.S. 360kk, and Sec. 21 CFR 2.5, for the following reasons:

1. The FDA has not clarified its present official safety policy relating to non-medical devices emitting radiofrequency (RF) radiation.

2. There is widespread public belief and reliance by federal agencies and state governments, physicians, health care providers, fire departments and other critical services, and businesses of all kinds that such FDA health-based standards exist, and that all wireless devices on the market are compliant with those protective standards, when there is no evidence that such a policy has actually been adopted following well established procedures and regulations under the Administrative Procedures Act (APA).

3. Public exposure to non-ionizing RF radiation is growing at an exponential rate, causing a significant percentage of the American public, including our most vulnerable citizens— children, elderly and disabled persons, persons with implanted medical devices and pregnant women—to be regularly and continuously exposed to RF emissions. Meanwhile, scientific studies are documenting biological harm at levels far below the current 25-year-old Federal Communications Commission (FCC) exposure guidelines that only protect from the heating of human tissue.

4. Petitioners and millions like them are being seriously harmed, and left with no recourse or means of escape, unless and until the HHS and FDA immediately address and rectify the present climate of regulatory chaos. (See Declarations in Appendices 2 and 3.)

In sum, Petitioners respectfully request that the HHS Secretary: (i) declare an Imminent Hazard pursuant to CFR 21 Part 2 Sec. 2.5 (Imminent Hazard to the Public Health) within 30 days, and (ii) communicate affirmatively to all private and public entities affected by the Imminent Hazard the present uncertainty relating to whether the FDA’s official policy and regulations concerning RF radiation emitted from non-medical devices are APA-compliant.

2021-12-21_hhs_fda_petition_final-filed.pdf
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Russia just blew up a satellite—here’s why that spells trouble for spaceflight

11/18/2021

 
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Link: ​https://tinyurl.com/v63vafz9

BALANCE GROUP’s Reply Brief (Jointly with ViaSat):  Environmental & Human Impact Review Is Necessary Regarding SpaceX-Starlink Mega-Constellation

10/13/2021

 
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Link to Download

WIRED: As SpaceX-Starlink Ramps Up So Could Light Pollution

10/8/2021

 
As SpaceX's Starlink Ramps Up, So Could Light Pollution | WIRED

Webinar: Membership Kick-off Meeting August 23, 1PM

8/18/2021

 
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Link to Webinar Flyer

Court in 5G Radiofrequency Radiation Case:  FCC failed to properly study harms

8/13/2021

 
Human and Environmental Radiofrequency Protection Ruling:  The DC Circuit court ruled today that the FCC "failed to provide a reasoned explanation for its determination that its guidelines adequately protected" humans from negative health effects unrelated to cancer..  In Environmental Health Trust/Childrens Health Defense v. FCC, the court also stated the FCC showed "a complete failure to respond to comments concerning environmental harm caused by RF radiation."  Two amicus briefs were filed in the case by Balance Group co-founders.  Jim Turner and Julian Gresser filed on behalf of the Building Biology Institute.  Stephen L. Goodman filed on behalf of Joseph Sandri.

LINK to Ruling

LINK to Amicus Briefs

The Balance Group's legal brief (jointly with ViaSat) challenging the FCC's approving the launch of the largest satellite mega-constellation in human history because its impacts remain largely unstudied

8/6/2021

 

​BRIEF OF APPELLANTS VIASAT, INC. AND THE BALANCE GROUP

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viasat.bg_--_opening_brief.pdf
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Declarations: 

1. Dr. Christopher Baddiley. Dr. Baddiley earned a Ph.D. in astrophysics from University College London (UCL) in 1973, and a B.S. with Honors in Physics from Newcastle University in 1969. Currently I teach a U3A course in astrophysics and am a Fellow with the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) and a member of the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
2. Dr. Roger Malina. Dr. Malina earned a Bachelor of Science in physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1972, and a Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1979. Formerly the Principal Investigator for the NASA Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer Satellite at the University of California, Berkeley, and the former director of the Observatoire Astronomique de Marseille Provence (OAMP) and of the Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Marseille in Marseille, France, and member of its observational cosmology group, which investigates the nature of dark matter and dark energy. He is currently distinguished professor of arts and technology, and professor of physics at the University of Texas at Dallas, and a Directeur de Recherche in the CNRS at the University of Aix Mareseille.
3. Mark Dankberg. Mr Dankberg is the Chairman of the Board and Executive Chairman of Viasat, Inc.. He co-founded the company in 1986, and served as its CEO from 1986 until assuming his current role in November 2020. Mr. Dahlberg earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Electrical Engineering from Rice University, and is a member of the Rice University Electrical and Computer Engineering Hall of Fame. In 2017, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering for my contributions to broadband internet communications via satellite.
4. Joseph Sandri. Mr. Sandri is a co-founder of Appellant, The Balance Group, and currently its operating officer. He is also Chief Executive Officer of Thought Delivery Systems, Inc., a privately held technology conglomerate based in Silver Spring, Md.; president of the National Spectrum Management Association (NSMA) (www.nsma.org); and a board member of the Archangel Ancient Tree Archive (www.AncientTreeArchive.org).
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viasat.bg_--_opening_brief_addendum.pdf
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August 3, 2021

8/3/2021

 

$65 Billion for Telecommunications Infrastructure:
​Is this an opportunity to make sure that broadband infrastructure is built in a manner which protects flora and fauna?

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The $1 trillion infrastructure bill moving through the Senate this week stands to be a windfall for cable and fiber-optic internet companies, with $65 billion allocated to improve internet access for poor and isolated communities. The plan would help home internet providers by providing $40 billion in grants that states can dole out to operators that expand their networks to households that lack high-speed service. AT&T plans to self-fund its fiber-optic network expansion to cover millions of new locations in the coming years. Its chief executive, John Stankey, has said government support in other areas would be “icing on the cake.” Charter Chief Executive Tom Rutledge has said the cable company can expand its network efficiently with help from government subsidies. There are still some provisions that broadband providers will likely chafe at, including proposed rules that force them to plainly disclose the service levels and prices they offer. Another provision withholds funding from carriers that suffer long network outages. But reporting and reliability requirements aren’t likely to dent the bottom lines of broadband companies that already deal with armies of regulators.
LINK: 
Cable, Internet Companies Stand to Gain From Broadband Funding in Infrastructure Bill | Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

New York Times: What Animals See in the Stars and What They Stand to Lose

8/2/2021

 
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LINK: ​What Animals See in the Stars, and What They Stand to Lose - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Set Your Calendars:

7/30/2021

 
WHO:    Members Only 
WHAT:  The Balance Group Webinar

​-Exclusive report:  Risk profiles on key existing and planned satellite and wireless networks
-Balance Group Mission Statement recap
-Early Results (prior to public release) on Balance Group Research & Development and Advocacy Initiatives
​

WHEN:  Monday, August 23, 2021, 1:30pm Eastern (10:30am Pacific)
HOW:  All Balance Group Members will be emailed a calendar invitation and participation link. Not yet a member of the Balance Group? 
​It is free.  Click: https://www.thebalancegroup.net/index.html#membership

The cyberattack of our nightmares: What if hackers target our satellites?

7/21/2021

 
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Read the entire article: The cyberattack of our nightmares: What if hackers target our satellites?

Upcoming Balance Group Webinar: August 23rd, 2021

7/6/2021

 
Join The Balance Group for an informational webinar that will provide news about its research & development initiatives, and also progress regarding its various legal filings. 
Becom a member (click the "Join Us!" or "Membership" buttons on the home page) to stay tuned on how to register for this event and join the conversation with industry leaders.

BALANCE GROUP ACTIVITIES RECAP

6/14/2021

 
Status Report: As of December 31, 2020, the Balance Group has met the following goals:
  1. Established a process for conducting professional-grade radio-frequency (RF) emissions studies using calibrated instrumentation. This provides us with the ability to measure compliance with the FCC's mandated requirements (Human RF exposure and also in preventing interference into other networks).
  2. Built tools available to the public, governments, industry, and the environmental, healthcare, and business communities for assessing radio-frequency (RF) liability protection. 
  3. These tools and processes were made available to the Balance Group through a working relationship with Cardinal Communications, and Division of Thought Delivery Systems, Inc.
  4. Produced a system for expanding its ongoing outreach to the wireless experts in the scientific, engineering, regulatory, governmental and public interest communities.

The Balance Group Files a Notice of Appeal

5/27/2021

 
The Balance Group files a Notice of Appeal in the Federal Court of Appeals for the Washington DC Circuit concerning the FCC’s ruling to approve a major modification to the world's largest planned satellite network without an environmental impact assessment as required by NEPA, let alone any apparently reasonably sufficient safeguards concerning cybersecurity, insurance and other protections.

Click here to view the full document.
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Opposition to SpaceX Application for Major Modification

5/26/2020

 
The Balance Group filed an opposition to SpaceX's application for major modifications with the FCC. The SpaceX Major Modification Application raised numerous significant and unstudied environmental issues which require the SpaceX Major Modification Application to be denied or, at a minimum, delayed until the underlying issues are properly addressed.  Other concerns related to cybersecurity and insurance were also addressed.

The Balance Group Opposition also included a:
  • Motion for consultation with affected agencies
  • Motion for disclosure
  • Motion for certification of suitable comprehensive insurance coverage
  • Motion for certification of indemnity and motion to suspend or revoke licenses

Click here to view the full document on the FCC website.
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