WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, ranking member of the Communications, Technology, and the Internet Subcommittee, today wrote to acting Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Copps requesting information about the ability for broadcasters to switch to digital ahead of the Democrats’ delayed DTV transition date, should their pending legislation pass.

Barton and Stearns are concerned that while the Senate bill delaying the transition to June 12, 2009, says broadcasters can switch to digital before the new delay date, because of FCC requirements, transition before the date would be all but impossible.

“Our understanding is that, because of interference concerns, most broadcast stations would not be allowed to transition under current FCC rules until around the time that all broadcast stations transition,” Barton and Stearns wrote. “Consequently, most of the spectrum promised to First Responders would also be unavailable until the delayed transition date.”

A copy of the letter can be found here.