FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: John Coates 727-610-1188
Tampa, FL – A coalition of concerned parents, health advocates, and community leaders today urged Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to take immediate action to update decades-old telecommunications regulations that deny local governments the ability to protect their communities from potential health risks associated with cell towers. Specifically, they are calling for the repeal or amendment of Section 704 of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, which currently prevents local authorities from considering health and environmental concerns in the placement of wireless infrastructure.
“Our Children Deserve Better”
“Right now, I can choose what my child eats, what school they attend, and what media they consume, but I have no say over the cell tower outside her classroom window,” said John Coates, founder of RF Safe, a long-time advocate for safer wireless technologies. “For nearly 30 years, Section 704 has stripped communities of their right to regulate cell tower placement based on science-backed health concerns. This is fundamentally un-American, anti-democratic, and dangerous.”
A Call to Elon Musk and DOGE
Elon Musk’s growing influence in telecommunications, particularly with his space-based wireless initiatives (Starlink), presents a unique opportunity. By acknowledging modern scientific research on radiofrequency (RF) radiation—beyond the outdated thermal-only model—Musk and DOGE can lead a new era of safer, community-first wireless infrastructure. Such a move could benefit Musk’s ambitious plans for satellite-based connectivity, as communities seek alternatives that reduce ground-level RF exposure.
“Mr. Musk has disrupted industries from electric cars to orbital rockets,” said Coates. “If he applies the same first-principles approach to RF safety, he can help restore local control, update the FCC’s antiquated standards, and accelerate the adoption of safer, space-based wireless services. It’s a strategic win for public health, consumer trust, and innovation.”
Scientific Evidence Continues to Mount
Growing evidence from studies such as those by the National Toxicology Program and the Ramazzini Institute suggests non-thermal biological effects of RF radiation, including DNA damage and potential links to cancers. Current FCC guidelines, established in 1996, fail to account for these findings. Meanwhile, Section 704 ensures that local governments cannot even consider these health risks when towers go up near schools, parks, or homes.
A Time for Action
The coalition urges DOGE—created to streamline government and eliminate harmful regulations—to recommend ending or amending Section 704 immediately. Restoring local authority would not only protect public health but also create a market environment that encourages safer, more advanced wireless solutions. Musk, by endorsing a science-based reassessment of RF radiation standards, could build overwhelming public support for his space-based networks, potentially saving hundreds of billions by fast-tracking the removal or relocation of ground-level towers.
About RF Safe
RF Safe is dedicated to raising awareness of wireless radiation risks and advocating for safer, science-based guidelines that protect public health and children’s futures. For more information, visit https://www.rfsafe.com.
Media Inquiries: John Coates 727-610-1188
Elon, please consider this:
Current FCC guidelines for cell phone radiation are 25 years out of date, ignoring non-thermal biological effects proven by modern science—DNA damage, fertility issues, and possible cancer risks. Worse, Section 704 of the 1996 Telecom Act forbids local communities from considering health when towers appear outside their children’s schools. Parents have no say. This is undemocratic, anti-science, and undermines trust.
By publicly acknowledging these risks, you can leverage DOGE’s mission to remove harmful regulations, amending Section 704 so local governments regain their voice. The result? A massive wave of public support for safer infrastructure, fueling rapid acceptance of Starlink Direct-to-Cell and other space-based networks. Embracing the truth clears market friction, propelling you toward a trillion-dollar future faster than any old, flawed framework could allow.
You didn’t create this mess, but you can fix it. Step up, accept the science, restore local rights, and lead the wireless industry toward a safer, smarter, more profitable future.