$38,000 Tower Regulations Reminder

The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau recently entered into a Consent Decree that included a $38,000 fine and compliance plan requirements related to tower construction violations.  The recipient?  An electric cooperative that had begun construction on multiple towers without first getting FAA clearance, registering the towers, or conducting required pre-construction environmental reviews.

For any broadcaster that owns or leases tower space, this consent decree is a good reminder that building a new tower or adding on to an existing tower requires several regulatory steps, and violating any of them poses a threat to air safety that the FCC takes very seriously.  These days, constructing a new tower that is over 200 feet tall – depending upon location – can involve so many requirements and issues that simply getting approval may take 1.5 to 2 years.  Consult qualified advisors when considering tower construction of any kind so that requirements and a timeline can be fully understood.  Our firm routinely works with clients in such matters and can assist when needed.