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VIA CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
March 30, 2009
Mr. Jason Merkel
Helena Division Manager
Northwestern Energy
1315 North Main Street
Helena, MT 59604-5329
Re: EB-09-GB-0027
Mr. Merkel:
The Federal Communications Commission contacted your company by letter
dated January 9, 2006, indicating that it had received complaints of
harmful radio interference possibly caused by power line equipment
maintained by your company. The interference was reported by:
(name withheld)
(address withheld)
Helena, MT 59601
Phone: (withheld)
In February of 2006, representatives of Northwest Energy (Mr. Scott Millam
and Mr. Charles Smith) visited Mr. Willett. During the course of that
visit, your representatives indicated that they would work with the
complainant going forward to locate and resolve the instances of
interference. During a follow up conversation with Mr. Riley Hollingsworth
of the FCC, you further indicated that an electrical engineer would be
coming out to Mr. Willett's residence in mid-March 2006, to attempt to
locate additional sources of the interference. The engineer located 15
sources of interference during his visit. During 2007 and into 2008, the
licensee continued to experience interference and continued to contact
Northwestern Energy to correct the problems. Northwestern did continue to
contact the licensee, but was unable to satisfactorily locate and resolve
the outstanding instances of interference.
In September of 2008, Northwestern Energy indicated that it had purchased
new noise locating equipment and would be coming out on the 15th of
September to locate and resolve the remaining instances of interference.
Northwestern Energy did not contact the licensee as promised, nor did any
representatives come out to Mr. Willett's residence. Indeed, in December
of 2008, Northwestern Energy contacted Mr. Willett and indicated that it
had done all it could to resolve the instances of interference.
Such a response is not acceptable. Given the fact this case has been
ongoing for quite some time without resolution and Northwestern Energy has
had ample time to locate the instances of interference and make the
necessary repairs, you are directed to respond to the undersigned within
60 days of receipt of this letter detailing what steps you have taken to
resolve the remaining instances of interference that are reported as being
caused by Northwestern Energy equipment. Should the remaining interference
problems not be resolved within those 60 days, Northwestern Energy will be
required to provide the undersigned with a status update every two (2)
weeks going forward as to what progress, if any, has been made to resolve
the matter.
If you have any questions about this matter, please contact me at
717-338-2577.
Sincerely,
Laura L. Smith
Special Counsel
Cc: Seattle Field Office
Western Regional Director
A copy of that letter is enclosed for your convenience.