A future trend in the regulatory process involves increased public participation in rulemaking proceedings. Proposed legislation seeks to increase the level of funding for agency public participation programs. "Intervenor funding" is also proposed which would pay for public interest participation. The payment of witnesses to represent the public interest is in response to some concerns that only corporations or public interest groups can afford lobbying efforts. This increase in public participation could have negative and positive effects on SPS planning. Public awareness and concern over microwave radiation is steadily increasing, as noted by studies on SPS public: acceptance. Environmental groups and public coalitions have already taken issue with the development of projects involving nonionizing radiation, e.g., Sanguine/ Seafarer, Pave Paws, and microwave communication towers. The lack of conclusive data regarding low-dose, long-term effects of microwaves on the human could emulate public concerns and response to nuclear power. The very terminology, microwave radiation, may confuse the public; the difference between nonionizing and ionizing may be misunderstood, leading to general citizen apprehension of the term radiation. This apprehension could be vented through public participation in the federal regulatory process. Conversely, pro-SPS space advocates, of course, would utilize these participatory channels as well.
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