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                  VIA CERTIFIED MAIL-RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

   June 22, 2009

   Mr. William D. Harvey

   Present and CEO

   Alliant Energy

   4902 North Biltmore Lane

   Madison, WI 53718

   Re: EB-09-GB-0136

   Dear Mr. Harvey:

   The Federal Communications Commission has received complaints that
   equipment operated by your utility may be causing harmful radio
   interference to an operator in the Amateur Radio Service. The complainant
   is:

   (name withheld) 

   (address withheld)

   Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-3349

   Email: (withheld)

   The Commission has the responsibility to require that utility companies
   rectify such problems within a reasonable time if the interference is
   caused by faulty power utility equipment. Under Commission rules, most
   power-line and related equipment is classified as an "incidental
   radiator." This term is used to describe equipment that does not
   intentionally generate any radio-frequency energy, but that may create
   such energy as an incidental part of its intended operation.

   To help you better understand your responsibilities under Commission
   rules, here are the most important rules relating to radio and television
   interference from incidental radiators:

   Title 47, CFR Section 15.5 General conditions of operation.

   (b) Operation of an intentional, unintentional, or incidental radiator is
   subject to the conditions that no harmful interference is caused and that
   interference must be accepted that may be caused by the operation of an
   authorized radio station, by another intentional or unintentional
   radiator, by industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) equipment, or by an
   incidental radiator.

   (c) The operator of the radio frequency device shall be required to cease
   operating the device upon notification by a Commission representative that
   the device is causing harmful interference. Operation shall not resume
   until the condition causing the harmful interference has been corrected.

   Title 47, CFR Section 15.13 Incidental radiators.

   Manufacturers of these devices shall employ good engineering practices to
   minimize the risk of harmful interference.

   Title 47, CFR Section 15.15 General technical requirements.

   (c) Parties responsible for equipment compliance should note that the
   limits specified in this part will not prevent harmful interference under
   all circumstances. Since the operators of Part 15 devices are required to
   cease operation should harmful interference occur to authorized users of
   the radio frequency spectrum, the parties responsible for equipment
   compliance are encouraged to employ the minimum field strength necessary
   for communications, to provide greater attenuation of unwanted emissions
   than required by these regulations, and to advise the user as to how to
   resolve harmful interference problems (for example, see Sec. 15.105(b)).

   We recognize that Alliant has worked continuously with the licensee since
   the Commission contacted you in 2004 to encourage you to correct the
   problem. The complainant, however, has advised the Commission that the
   problem has continued and is seeking further assistance from Alliant in
   resolving this matter. The Commission prefers that those responsible for
   the proper operation of power lines assume their responsibilities fairly.
   This means that your utility company should again locate the source of
   this new interference caused by its equipment and make necessary
   corrections within a reasonable time.

   While the Commission has confidence that most utility companies are able
   to resolve these issues voluntarily, the Commission wants to make your
   office aware that this unresolved problem may be a violation of Commission
   rules and could result in a monetary forfeiture for each occurrence. At
   this stage, the Commission encourages the parties to resolve this problem
   without Commission intervention, but if necessary to facilitate
   resolution, the Commission may investigate possible rules violations and
   address appropriate remedies.

   The American Radio Relay League, a national organization of Amateur Radio
   operators, may be able to offer help and guidance about radio interference
   that involves Amateur Radio operators.

   American Radio Relay League

   Radio Frequency Interference Desk

   225 Main Street

   Newington, CT 06111

   860-594-0200

   Email: rfi@arrl.org

   Please advise the complainant what steps your utility company is taking to
   correct this reported interference problem. The Commission expects that
   most cases can be resolved within 60 days of the time they are reported to
   the utility company. If you are unable to resolve this by August 24, 2009,
   please advise this office about the nature of the problem, the steps you
   are taking to resolve it and the estimated time in which those steps can
   be accomplished.

   If you have any questions about this matter, please contact me at
   717-338-2577. Thank you for your cooperation.

   Sincerely,

   Laura L. Smith, Esq.

   Special Counsel, Northeast Region

   Enforcement Bureau

   cc: Kansas City Field Office

   South Central Regional Director