ROY BLUNT COMMITTEESo APPROPRIATIONS MISSOURI COMMERCE, SCIENCE VICE CHAIRMAN, SENA TE REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE AND TRANSPORTATION RULES AND 260 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING tlnitcd ~rates ~cnatc 336 ADMINISTRATION, WASHINGTON, DC 20510-2508 WASHINGTON, DC 20510 CHAIRMAN 202-224-5721 SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE 26 201 April ' ~ eceived & Inspected . \ spected Recewed & n ~ 2018 The Honorable Ajit Pai, Chairman W~~ - ·~ 'Ll\\B Federal Communications Commission FCC Mailroom 445 12th Street SW rCC Ma\\toorn Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chairman Pai, On April 19, 2018, a broadcast tower in Fordland, Missouri collapsed, disabling a broadcast service in southwest Missouri. The tower belongs to Ozark Public Television, a television broadcast station owned by Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. The tower collapse resulted in a loss of service for channel KOZK-21 in Springfield. The collapse occurred during maintenance in preparation for the station's infrastructure changes, in accordance with phase one of the transition schedule for the Broadcast Incentive Auction. The cause is currently unclear, however, I am concerned that this will affect the station's ability to comply with the FCC's Incentive Auction transition schedule, as well as the station's ability to receive reimbursement for their infrastructure moves. The FCC has worked very closely with broadcasters in Missouri and across the nation to ensure that broadcast facilities are transitioned to new channels as efficiently as possible. I ask that the FCC work directly with Ozark Public Television, Missouri State University, and relevant stakeholders in the Springfield, Missouri community to provide information and resources necessary to mitigate issues related to the tower collapse and the Broadcast Incentive Auction. I appreciate any assistance that you can provide to the station as it considers options to relocate its physical infrastructure. CC: Mr. Donald Stockdale Bureau Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Federal Communications Commission www.facebook.com/senatorblunt www.blunt.senate.gov www.twitter.com/royblunt