Fiber for Breakfast 2023 Week 44 – Overcoming Permitting Roadblocks to BEAD Deployment

With the new bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) law mandating an historic investment in high speed rural broadband that has drawn comparisons to the electrification of rural America last century, it is clear that more work needs to be done to maximize its effects. Federal and state governments have been busy mapping the neediest communities and starting to plan for the implementation of the BEAD program. At the same time other broadband programs such as the Tribal Program, RDOF, and RUS Reconnects have been making funding awards. As this happens, it is becoming clear just how much is at stake if federal and state permitting requirements delay these important broadband infrastructure builds. This has become a major priority for the Biden Administration and FBA has already brought members in to speak to the Department of Commerce about addressing this problem. Just as important is an effort in Congress to confront this issue by streamlining the permitting process legislatively. Come listen to this Fiber for Breakfast and to the leaders of this effort in the House of Representatives as they talk about their plans to legislate important changes to broadband permitting. And bring your own ideas about the areas on which this legislation needs to focus its attention.

Webinar Guests:

Kate O’Connor
Chief Counsel for the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce

Evan Viau
Professional Staff Member for the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce