​On March 23,  NERCA, along with the Utilities Technology Council (UTC), the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), the American Public Power Association (APPA), the American Petroleum Institute (API), the American Gas Association (AGA), the American Water Works Association (AWWA), APCO International (APCO), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC), filed comments with the FCC opposing an industry proposal to open the 6 GHz band to unlicensed direct communication between client devices.  A client device is one that operates under the control of an access point to authorize the operation.  Client-to-client devices can greatly extend the reach of the unlicensed network and therefore greatly increase the potential for interference to licensed microwave systems – many of which are used to support mission-critical communications for public safety and electric, gas, and water utilities and other critical infrastructure industries.  ​