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VIA CERTIFIED MAIL -- RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
June 28, 2006
Marsha
P. Ryan, Senior Vice President
American Electric Power Company
1 Riverside Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215-2373
Dear Ms. Ryan:
We notified American Electric Power (AEP) by letter dated November 27, 2002, that we were receiving complaints from 4 Amateur Radio licensees of harmful radio interference possibly caused by power line equipment operated by your company. The complainants were (4 names withheld), South Bend, IN; Gallipolis, OH; Canton, OH; and Tulsa, OK.
AEP was sent a warning dated May 22, 2003 that the problems remained unresolved and we requested information as to what action was being taken, or planned, in the interference cases. The Enforcement Bureau issued a letter to AEP on August 26, 2003 pointing out what appeared to be discrepancies between AEP's February 10, 2003 response and what the complainants were reporting. Mr. (name withheld), for example, reported that he had made one complaint, not three as indicated by AEP. He further reported that interference had been corrected on two poles but had returned on one and that an AEP interference investigator had verified strong interference at his residence.
While the interference problems appear to have been resolved as to (names withheld), they have not been resolved in regard to (name withheld). He recorded and reported very strong radio frequency interference that appears to be line noise as recently as yesterday. These recordings will be made available to you if requested.
In the May 22, 2003 letter, AEP was advised that the interference problem, if unresolved, would be a violation of FCC rules and could result in a monetary forfeiture for each occurrence. You are therefore requested to update this office within 30 days of receipt of this letter as to what steps your utility company is taking to correct this interference problem, and to serve a copy of your response on (name withheld). If you have any questions about this matter, please contact me at 717-338-2502.
Sincerely,
W. Riley Hollingsworth
Special Counsel
cc: FCC Northeastern Regional Director
