CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey joined a multi-state effort urging car manufacturers to continue including AM radios in new electric vehicles.
Morrisey said nixing the AM radios would be detrimental.
"This is absurd, to say the least," Morrisey said. "The public warning system relies on AM stations to warn people of an impending emergency—as we all know when nearly everything else quits working, you can rely on AM radio to function when it’s needed the most."
Morrisey joined 15 states in their letter to several trade associations wherein the states raised concerns that some of their members’ business decisions are detrimental to the safety and wellbeing of the public.
The coalition also noted that AM radio provides free sports broadcasts, local news and weather reports, as well as important political commentary to large swaths of America — especially in rural communities where broadband or cellular access is sparse or unreliable.
"Nearly 80 AM radio stations across the country are Primary Entry Points for emergency alerts distributed by FEMA and the National Weather Service," the coalition wrote. "These stations alone cover 90% of the U.S. population and ensure that state and federal agencies can quickly, dependably and cheaply distribute life-saving information across vast geographical areas."
Approximately 47 million Americans listen to AM radio every week—signals still travel farther than FM, making it a vital lifeline for people during natural disasters such as hurricanes and fires, according to the National Association of Broadcasters.
"Eliminating AM radio from vehicles ignores the vital role AM radio plays in the lives of millions of Americans," the letter states. "In light of the essential role AM radios play in the safety and well-being of Americans across the country, we urge your members to reconsider the decisions to eliminate AM radios in electric cars."
The coalition is led by Florida and also includes Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia and Virginia.