PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 15-438 April 9, 2015 NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL AND DISMISSAL OF CLOSED CAPTIONING EXEMPTION PETITION CG Docket No. 06-181 CGB-CC-1295 By this Notice, the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s or Commission’s) Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB or Bureau) announces the withdrawal and dismissal of the Peace is Possible NC, Inc. (Peace is Possible NC) Petition for exemption from the Commission’s closed captioning requirements. 1 The Commission’s closed captioning rules allow video programming providers, producers, or owners to obtain an exemption from the closed captioning requirements if they demonstrate that providing captions on their programming would be “economically burdensome.” 2 In 2013, Peace is Possible NC filed a petition for a closed captioning exemption under these rules. 3 The Bureau determined that it required additional information to enable it to determine whether the programming that was the subject of this Petition should be exempt from the Commission’s closed captioning obligations and requested such information in a letter dated October 1, 2013. 4 In response, Peace is Possible NC supplemented its Petition by letter dated October 30, 2013. 5 On February 10, 2014, the Bureau placed the Petition on Public Notice for comment. 6 Several consumer groups jointly filed an opposition to the Petition. 7 Subsequently, the Bureau again determined that it required additional information to enable it 1 47 C.F.R. § 79.1. 2 47 C.F.R. § 79.1(f). 3 See Letter from Richard A. Clemenzi, Authorized Director, to Office of the Secretary, FCC (Mar. 26, 2013) (filed Apr. 2, 2013) (Petition). 4 See Letter from Perlesta Hollingsworth, Disability Rights Office, CGB, to Peace is Possible NC, Inc. (Oct. 1, 2013). 5 See Letter from Richard A. Clemenzi, Authorized Director, to Office of the Secretary, FCC (Oct. 30, 2013) (filed Oct. 31, 2013). 6 Request for Comment, Request for Exemption from Commission’s Closed Captioning Rules, CG Docket No. 06- 181, Public Notice, 29 FCC Rcd 1248 (CGB 2014). 7 See Re: Opposition to Four Petitions for Exemption from the Commission’s Closed Captioning Rules, CG Docket No. 06-181, River of Life Christian Center, Case No. CGB-CC-0493, SJTV LLC dba CNY’s Open House, Case No. CGB-CC-1226, Peace is Possible, NC, Inc., Case No. CGB-CC-1295, Outdoorsmen Productions, Case No. CGB- CC-0639, filed by Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc. (TDI), National Association of the to determine whether the programming that was the subject of the Petition should be exempt from the Commission’s closed captioning obligations and requested this information by letter dated February 13, 2015. 8 Before the Bureau could determine whether to grant or deny the Petition, by letter dated March 12, 2015, Peace is Possible NC submitted a request to withdraw its Petition. 9 Peace is Possible NC states that it is no longer broadcasting its program. 10 This Notice serves to inform the public that this Petition has been dismissed without prejudice as of March 12, 2015, which is the date of Peace is Possible NC’s Withdrawal Letter. To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice) or 202-418-0432 (TTY). This Public Notice can also be down- loaded in Word and Portable Document Format at http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/economically- burdensome-exemption-closed-captioning-requirements. Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Contacts: Caitlin Vogus, (202) 418-1264, Caitlin.Vogus@fcc.gov; or Suzy Rosen Singleton, (202) 510-9446, Suzanne.Singleton@fcc.gov. -FCC- Deaf (NAD), Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network (DHHCAN), Cerebral Palsy and Deaf Organization (CPADO), and California Coalition of Agencies Serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc. (CCASDHH) (collectively, Consumer Groups) (Mar. 12, 2014) (Consumer Groups Opposition). 8 See Letter from Caitlin Vogus, Disability Rights Office, CGB, FCC, to Peace is Possible NC, Inc. (Feb. 13, 2015). 9 See Letter from Richard A. Clemenzi, Authorized Director, Peace is Possible NC, Inc., to Caitlin Vogus, CGB, FCC (Mar. 12, 2015) (Withdrawal Letter). 10 Withdrawal Letter at 1.