Telecoms, such as AT&T and Verizon, want to use utility poles and streetlights to place “microcells” or “small cell” facilities on the utility strip of private residences between sidewalks and the curb, “often accompanied by containers the size of refrigerators on the ground.”

NY Times reports, “the new technology, known as 5G, delivers wireless internet at far faster speeds than existing cellular connections… Instead of relying on large towers placed far apart, the new signals will come from smaller equipment placed an average of 500 feet apart in neighborhoods and business districts… More than 300,000 cell stations now provide wireless connections, and 5G will bring hundreds of thousands — perhaps millions — more.”

These companies say the new tech-equipment will enhance speedier internet and streaming services, as well as support future applications like driverless cars. The companies say that the equipment is safe and unobtrusive, but town and city officials are not buying it. In fact, local communities and their officials, such as in Woodbury, N.Y., insist that local governments be allowed to control the placement and look of the new equipment.

Nevertheless, the telecom firms have lobbyists working state legislatures, advocating laws that restrict local oversight of 5G. Since 2016, 13 states have passed bills that limit local control, and several other states are considering similar laws. Wireless companies are also lobbying Congress, which is considering several bills on the issue.

Last year, a couple from Huntington filed a case against telecom company, Crown Castle, for their installation of hundreds of unregulated and untested wireless facilities. This was also after the telecom company installed such equipment directly next to their property (without permission) in the middle of the night! Additionally, the Town Board of Oyster Bay has also pushed back, when they rescinded seven permits for cellphone repeaters and then hired their own legal counsel to represent it on wireless communication matters.

Though it seems to be a “towns versus telecoms battle” that is taking place not only here in New York, but in a growing number of states,” Newsday reports that telecom companies are pushing for statewide legal frameworks that limit local-government regulation. According to the same Newsday article, Cuomo’s budget proposal includes a ‘hidden’ provision, which would gives away local rights for regulation of these company’s installation, as well as remove town’s abilities to bargain with companies to make sure this new equipment reaches under-served areas. 

NY Times Reports How the U.S. Opposed Breast-feeding Accord

“At a gathering of the decision-making body for the World Health Organization this spring, American officials tried to water down a resolution saying that mother’s milk is healthiest for children. The seemingly uncontroversial measure also said that countries should strive to limit inaccurate or misleading marketing of breast-milk substitutes. Embracing the interests of infant-formula manufacturers, the U.S. delegation also threatened the measure’s planned sponsor, Ecuador, with trade sanctions and the withdrawal of military aid, according to diplomats and government officials. In the end, the American efforts were mostly unsuccessful, but the confrontation adds to examples of Washington siding with corporate interests on public health and environmental issues.” NPR’s Ailsa Chang speaks with New York Times reporter Andrew Jacobs about “the U.S. led a charge against pro-breastfeeding language” at the World Health Assembly summit in Geneva earlier this year.

Author of Four Fish Delves Deep Into The Production of Fish Supplements

“Paul Greenberg has written a new book whose focus is omega-3 dietary supplements, capsules containing the fatty acids derived from fish and other sea life. He examines the claims the omega-3 industry makes about the health benefits of these supplements and what the latest research has to say. He also writes about the effect these supplements are having on the populations of fish used to create them and how this is affecting the ecosystems of our oceans.”