What’s Next? There is still time to pack the testimony record before it closes on June 26th. We need your voice to support the 2 year pause – and urge that the pause is well used to engage stakeholders in a transparent cost benefit analysis that yields strong regulations and zoning laws. Here are two ways to be sure your voice is heard: Write a Letter Here – use the Montgomery Countryside Alliance quick template […]
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Tech Wise News Brief June 2026: Data Center Hearing, Election Resources & Pepco Rate Case
Urgent: June 16 Public Hearing on Data Centers Montgomery County is currently considering several proposals that would shape how data centers are regulated in the county. The discussion includes proposed zoning regulations, as well as competing moratorium proposals that would temporarily pause approvals while impacts are studied. A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, June 16, providing residents an opportunity to share their views on how Montgomery County should address data center development. Supporters and […]
Continue readingTech Wise News Brief – April 2026: H.R. 2289 Stalls, Dickerson Data Centers, Candidate Response, and Surveillance Pricing
H.R. 2289 Cell Tower Fast-Track Bill Stalls — But Remains Active U.S. House / Environmental Health Sciences | April 2026 H.R. 2289, the American Broadband Deployment Act, advanced in the House earlier this spring but has not been brought to a final vote and appears to have stalled for now. The bill was placed on the House Union Calendar in mid-April, but no further action has been taken. Advocacy groups report that the legislative process […]
Continue readingFCC’s recent big loss in court proves what residents warned all along: Montgomery County Council can’t trust the FCC’s safety standards from 1996 for wireless radiation to protect our families.
This page documents past resident engagement strategies provided for historical reference only and does not reflect current action opportunities. Council will be rushing a ZTA 22–01 zoning vote on Oct. 25th to outrun a Nov. 1st zoning deadline in this year of an election. Use the 1-minute email tool to quickly send emails to the entire Council to oppose cell towers near homes–ZTA 22-01.
Continue readingElection Alert: Electronic touchscreen ballots divide candidate choices up via second screens not available unless clicked
A problem has already been reported with voting on the touchscreen for (some) races with multiple candidates in that the voter has to view two screens to see all of the names of candidates running for that position. When there’s a split screen, make sure to click again to see the second screen. Many of the candidates themselves are unaware of these screen issues. David Lublin of Seventh State has also alerted that the electronic ballot divides the candidates on two pages […]
Continue readingURGENT: Act Now to Give the Public a Voice in Licensing of Wireless Facilities on Poles
The County recently released a draft Pole Attachment License Agreement (PLA) that would provide authorization for companies to attach wireless facilities on or in existing or replacement County-owned streetlight poles. Because a licensee can request authorization to attach to any streetlight pole, the PLA poses significant impacts for residents and County at-large. The PLA was released on the Transmission Facilities Coordination Group (TFCG) web page with little or no public notice and only three weeks […]
Continue readingBreaking News & Action Alert: County Executive Calls For Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Working Group For Cell Towers Siting in Residential Areas
“My staff and I have talked with many residents and industry representatives, and we have found them to be knowledgeable and willing to help improve the process. I would like to propose that we convene a working group comprised of a diverse group of stakeholders, including industry, residents, municipalities and homeowner/tenant associations and/or non-profit organizations. Staff support would be provided by Executive and Council staff. The group would have a limited time – perhaps 75 […]
Continue readingWhat Do “Small” Cell Towers Look Like?
Photos of “small” cell towers and other wireless transmission facilities Junkyard right outside your home Here is what a cell tower looks like to a Montgomery Co. family that got a 68′ cell tower in their front yard because of a mistake. Eleven years later it’s still there despite her and her neighbors’ attempts at seeking remedy and testifying before the Montgomery County Council. Watch Vicki Huo’s 2021 Testimony on YouTube. Watch Vicki Huo’s 2019 […]
Continue readingTell Montgomery County Council: First Fix Poor Oversight, Especially For Affordable Housing Sites – Stop ZTA 19-07 Now!
Archived News (2019) This post is preserved as part of the public record and historical documentation of community engagement at that time. For broader regulatory and governance context, see: Read the letter concerned residents sent to the Montgomery County Tower Committee, exposing a pattern of serious errors in 25 cell tower applications that the Committee previously recommended. Those errors indicate a pattern of rubber-stamping applications with little accountability to those who live or work under […]
Continue readingJANUARY 25, 2021 UPDATE HE’S BACK!! COUNCILMEMBER RIEMER RE-INTRODUCES ZTA 19-07 WHILE ANNOUNCING A “FINAL PUSH” TO PASS INDUSTRY FRIENDLY ZONING REGS IN THE MIDST OF A RAGING PANDEMIC
Archived News (2019) This post is preserved as part of the public record and historical documentation of community engagement at that time. For broader regulatory and governance context, see: January 25, 2021 UPDATE * SHARE AND DISTRIBUTE WIDELY * By Rick Meyer, Montgomery County Coalition for the Control of Cell Towers HE’S BACK!! COUNCILMEMBER RIEMER RE-INTRODUCES ZTA19-07 while announcing A “FINAL PUSH” TO PASS INDUSTRY FRIENDLY ZONING REGS IN THE MIDST OF A RAGING PANDEMIC […]
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