Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) today called for immediate assistance for consumers as the nation prepares for the February 17, 2009, digital television transition, which requires households that use analog televisions and antennas to purchase converter boxes.

“In addition to entertainment, many consumers rely on television for critical emergency alerts,” said Lowey. “Consumers Union has reported that 19 million American households rely exclusively on the over-the-air reception, including for news and weather information. We cannot allow screens to go dark because the Bush Administration failed to do its job.”

Consumers Union Policy Analyst Joel Kelsey detailed some of the problems facing households and stated that Consumers Union has asked Congress to consider delaying the transition after the federal coupon program ran out of money. Although the federal government has raised $19 billion by selling available spectrum to pay for the transition, a limitation of only $1.34 billion in individual $40 coupons may be issued.

“The federal government will receive over $19 billion as a result of the DTV spectrum auction. Over seven million unprepared households are now being asked to spend their own money to navigate this federally mandated transition. This economic climate is not the right time to ask consumers to dig deeper into their own pockets to pay for the miscalculation by the federal government,” commented Kelsey.

Lowey also announced that she signed a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, asking that the House immediately consider legislation to aid viewers.

“It is imperative that everyone have an opportunity to receive a coupon and purchase and install a converter box before the transition date,” said Lowey. “I strongly encourage every household who needs coupons to apply for them today by calling 1-888-DTV-2009 or going to www.dtv2009.gov. My colleagues and I are fighting to clear the backlog, but it is important for everyone who relies on over-the-air television to apply now so that they will be eligible when and if more coupons become available.”