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Congress Passes Delay to Digital Conversion – Sort Of
Posted on February 10, 2009Both the House and Senate have approved a bill that would delay the official digital TV conversion date from Feb 17 to June 12, 2009. President Obama, who requested the delay, has not yet signed the bill (as of Feb 10).
But the bill makes the delay optional not mandatory, allowing stations to "throw the switch" any time between Feb 17 and June 12. This was partly in response to concerns by many public TV stations that delaying the conversion would cost them millions of dollars in expenses committed to switching in February.
So while many stations are delaying their conversion until June 12, some are proceeding with original plans to convert to digital signal on Feb 17.
The DTV Delay Act also includes a provision allowing the FCC to reissue (upon request from consumers) converter box coupons to replace unredeemed but expired coupons. Many consumers requested and received coupons woth $40 towards the purchase of converter boxes, but they did not use the coupons before they expired.
Consumers who want to apply for coupons can do so online at https://www.dtv2009.gov/. They will be placed on a waitlist until more funds are released for this program.
Press Coverage
A Program to Certify Electronic Waste Recycling Rivals an Industry-U.S. Plan
New York Times04-15-10 -- In addition to outlining safe domestic handling and disposal practices for old televisions, computers and other electronic devices, the system would effectively bar participating recyclers from exporting toxic, nonfunctional electronic waste to developing nations. The program will compete directly with a less stringent standard recently developed by industry and the federal government that companies and recyclers say makes more economic sense.
Electronics Recycling - Who’s Responsible?
Recycling Today12-29-09 -- As the lawsuit challenging New York City’s electronics take-back law prepares for opening arguments in mid-January, industry associations and electronics recycling advocates wonder what effect the court’s ruling will have on the future of producer responsibility.
A Green Way to Dump Low-Tech Electronics
The New York Times06-30-09 -- The Environmental Protection Agency estimates 99.1 million televisions sit unused in closets and basements across the country. Consumer response to recycling has been enormous in states where the laws have taken effect.
