Chairman Wheeler's Response to Senator Wyden and Senator Merkley Regarding Proposed Field Office Closures

On April 24, 2015, Sens Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler regarding the FCC's proposal to close field offices across the country, particularly a Vancouver (WA) field office that oversees Oregon, Southern Washington and Western Idaho. The Sens requested that the FCC facilitate public input on the proposed field office closures as the process progresses, and for the FCC to consider the needs of local broadcasters before the closing the Vancouver office.

On May 29, 2015, Chairman Wheeler responded by writing that although the Portland field office has kept busy with outreach and routine compliance work, it has relatively little radiofrequency complaint resolution activity. Chairman Wheeler wrote that the office costs about $15,000 in taxpayer fund per complaint. Further, Chairman Wheeler wrote that ,"...although the Portland staff has provided valuable assistance to local broadcasters and public safety representatives over the years, these matters generally do not require a resident by an FCC agent."