NITA M. LOWEY, NEW YOR K, CHAIRWOMAN KAY GRANGER, TEXAS HAROLD ROGERS, KENTUCKY MARCY KAPTUR. OHIO ROBERT B. ADERHOLT, ALABAMA PETER J. VISCLOSKY. INDIANA MICHAEL K. SIMPSON, IDAHO JOS~ E. SERRANO, NEW YORK JOHN R. CARTER, TEXAS ROSA L OELAURO, CONNECTICUT KEN CALVERT. CALIFORNIA DAVIDE. PRICE, NORTH CAROLINA TOM COLE. OKLAHOMA LUCILLE ROYBAL·ALLARD. CALIFORNIA MARIO DIAZ-BALART, FLORIDA SANFORD 0 . BISHOP, JR., GEORGIA TOM GRAVES, GEORGIA BARBARA LEE, CALIFORNIA Q:ongress of the tlnitcd ~tares STEVE WOMACK. ARKANSAS BETIY M CCOLLUM. MINNESOTA JEFF FORTENBERRY, NEBRASKA TIM RYAN. OHIO CHUCK FLEISCHMANN, TENNESSEE C. A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER, MARYLAND illousc of 1Repre.smtotioes JAIME HERRERA BEUTLER. WASHINGTON DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. FLORIDA DAVID P. JOYCE, OHIO HENRY CUELLAR. TEXAS ANDY HARRIS. MARYLAND CHELLIE PINGREE, MAINE [ommitt££ on 2lppropriotions MARTHA ROBY. ALABAMA MIKE OUIGLEY. ILLINOIS MARK E. AMODEI, NEVADA DEREK KILMER, WASHINGTON CHRIS STEWART, UTAH MATT CARTWRIGHT, PENNSYLVANIA ~oshington, i'Q:: 20515-6015 STEVEN M. PALAZZO. MISSISSIPPI GRACE MENG, NEW YORK DAN NEWHOUSE, WASHINGTON MARK POCAN. WISCONSIN JOHN R. MOOLENAAR, MICHIG AN KATHERINE M . CLARK. M ASSACHUSE TTS JOHN H. RUTHERFORD. FLORIDA PETE AGUILAR, CALIFORNIA Will HURO, TEXAS LOIS FRANKEL, FLORIDA CHER I BUSTOS, ILLINOIS BON NIE WATSON COLEM AN, NEW JERSEY BRENDA l . LAW RENCE, MICHIGAN SHALANDA YOUNG NORMA J. TORRES. CALIFORNIA CHARLIE CRIST, FLORIDA CLERK AND STAFF DIRECTOR ANN KI RKPATRICK. ARIZONA (2021225-2771 ED CASE, HAWAII March 13, 2019 The Honorable Ajit Pai 153 Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 12111 Street SW Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chairman Pai: We write to respectfully request a delay in the commencement of bidding for 24 GHz spectrum licenses in Auction I 02, which is scheduled for March 14, 2019. This delay is necessary to allow for further review of potential interference to adjacent band uses that are critical for national security as well as the protection of American lives and property. In particular, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) uses the 23.6-24 GHz spectrum band fo r microwave sensor-based remote sensing of atmospheric levels of water vapor, which is the single most impactful data stream for accurately forecasting weather. This data is used by NOAA's National Weather Service, the National Aeronautics and Space Admini stration (NASA), and the Department of Defense (DOD), in addition to the broader international weather community. Without this data, the Nation's fo recasting capacity would be reduced to the accuracy of the forecasts produced in the 1970s. For example, the forecast for Superstorm Sandy would have predicted landfall in Maine 24 hours later than actual landfall occurred in New Jersey, roughly 300 miles away. 1 This would have further imperiled millions of Americans. The National Weather Service and others in the international weather community require an extremely high level of data fidelity and connectivity. Additionally, NOAA's use of this spectrum for passive sensing of environmental conditions makes their signals uniquely susceptible to interference from man-made emi ssions. We understand that the emission limits for 24 GHz licenses remain on open item for discussion at the upcoming World Radio Conference. We believe that there is significant risk that aggregate 5G signals under the current FCC rules for this band will mask natural radiation that provides important inputs for weather fo recasting that cannot be obtained by other methods. 1 McNa lly, Tony & Bonavita, Mass imo & Thepaut, J.-N. (20 14). The Role of Satell ite Data in the Forecast ing of Hurri cane Sandy. Monthly Weather Review. 142. 634-646. I 0. 11 75/MWR-D-1 3-00 170. 1. As appropriators, we are highly concerned about the potential impact on the federal investment of billions of dollars in our satellite fleet, which is designed to support our defense apparatus and to provide lifesaving weather data. Therefore, we request that prior to commencing the auction, you: I. Provide to the Committee any analysis, including any engineering data, that supports the current power, emission, and other protective limits for 24 GHz licenses to be auctioned, and any analysis that evaluates the impact on adjacent services, particularly in 23.6-24 GHz band. 2. Provide all correspondence regarding power, emission, and other protective limits involving the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and any of these organizations: National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), NOAA, NASA, Department of Commerce (DOC), DOD, or White House organizations as cited in the February 28 111 letter (National Economic Council, Officer of Science and Technology Policy, and National Security Council). 3. Continue to work with NTIA and Federal agencies, including via the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee, to update current emissions, power, or other protective limits to ensure that they fully protect adjacent services, are supported by Federal agencies, and align with the international community. We additionally request that, after any such auction concludes and licensees begin operations, you commit to providing robust oversight and enforcement of any emissions that cause interference to critical weather data streams to ensure that these systems continue to operate unabated and unadulterated, including creating mechanisms for responding timely to mitigate any reports of interference. To be clear, we fully support development of SG technology and agree with the Administration that it is imperative that our Nation lead the world in its deployment. However, any support provided to this new technology must be weighed against the cost to other priorities, including national security and the safety of Americans' lives and property. We hope to work collaboratively with you and the other relevant agencies to find a mutually beneficial solution. Respectfully, Subcommittee on Financial Services om 1ttee on Commerce, Justice, cience, and Related Agencies Committee on Appropriations Committee on Appropriations