A Malibu Times opinion column by resident Lonnie Gordon reports that residents are pushing back against expanding 5G small-cell wireless installations across the city, on both fire-safety and health grounds.
Local electrical engineers say many small-cell enclosures do not comply with California Electrical Code and could ignite during Public Safety Power Shut-offs in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Twelve residents have filed appeals against recently approved sites, and the piece invokes the 2021 federal court ruling that found the FCC's RF-exposure guidelines "capricious and arbitrary."
"Electrical engineers have documented serious electrical‑code violations in many small‑cell installations across Malibu — violations that may date back as far as 2017. These are not cosmetic issues. They involve the breaker inside the installation, the component responsible for stopping electrical faults."
"In 2021, a federal court ruled that the FCC had failed to reasonably explain why its existing guidelines — which prohibit local governments from considering health effects — adequately protect people and the environment. The court found the FCC's position "capricious and arbitrary" and ordered the commission to further explain why those guidelines should be maintained in light of significant evidence of harm. Five years later, the FCC has not complied with the court order."
"Twelve residents have filed appeals against recently approved wireless sites. Their hearings will take place July 29-31 at City Hall before a hearing officer. Most appellants will be represented by attorneys Scott McCullough and Ariel Strauss."
"Each wireless installation is not a standalone pole. They function as nodes in a network, spaced close enough that their emissions — which can extend 1,000 feet or more — overlap. This creates a mesh of radiofrequency exposure across neighborhoods such as Point Dume and areas north of PCH."
Location
📍 Malibu, California, United States
