The FCC this week rescinded interim procedures approved six years ago that outlined rules for certain electronic filings.
In an Order released Nov. 29, 2001, the FCC adopted interim procedures that permitted electronic filing (such as email or fax) of certain pleadings that would otherwise require paper filings. The Order was adopted as result of the disruption of regular mail delivery due the threat of contamination after anthrax was discovered in mail delivered to Capital Hill and at certain U.S. Postal Service mail processing facilities. This week, the FCC repealed these interim procedures.
The Interim Procedures Order applied to petitions to deny, petitions for reconsideration, applications for review; informal requests for commission action involving pending applications, petitions to amend the TV and FM broadcast Table of Allotments, responsive pleadings and comments or oppositions to open video system certification.
The FCC noted that mail delivery in the Washington, D.C. area has improved and the US Postal Service has greatly reduced the delay in processing mail. In addition, the FCC has expanded its electronic filing capabilities and implements its own processes to combat the threat of contamination of incoming mail.
The Order will become effective ninety days after it is published in the Federal Register. See Order FCC 07-115 for details.
