“Those of us who have experienced a natural disaster like Superstorm Sandy,” Mr. Pallone told the Energy and Commerce Committee two weeks ago, “know that AM radio is an important lifeline when other forms of mass communications go out.” The proposed legislation, he said, “will help Americans’ safety.”
With overwhelming bipartisan support, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act is speeding toward passage before the 118th Congress expires in three months. Automakers are the only speed bumps remaining, arguing against future dashboards having AM when a disaster like Hurricane Helene cuts off other means of communication.
The legislation has been gaining momentum since Ford, Tesla, and others found that AM reception interferes with EVs. After a 45-to-2 vote in the Committee on Energy and Commerce, though, the bill requiring AM to remain at no extra cost is now before the full House.
In “Radio Ga Ga,” Queen’s 1984 hit, Freddy Mercury croons, “Radio, someone still loves you.” Now, after 40 years of leaps in telecommunications, it seems that Americans aren’t ready for a breakup. They may take AM for granted in favor of their iPhones and PCs, but they count on it being there when cell towers, power grids, and Wi-Fi fail.
By Dean Karayanis
