Barrasso Bill Would Increase Broadband Access on Federal Land
U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced legislation last week to increase access to high-speed internet on federal land. The CLOSE THE GAP Act will streamline the permitting process for broadband and telecommunications infrastructure on federal land to expand access to high-speed internet in rural areas. The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY).
“Permitting for broadband projects and telecom infrastructure on federal land can take up to 48 months. These delays jeopardize broadband projects, increase costs, and limit access to high-speed internet and vital telehealth services,” said Barrasso, who adds that in his state, half of the land is owned by the federal government, and many areas are underserved or unserved. “It shouldn’t take years for internet service providers to get approval for broadband infrastructure projects on federal land,” he adds.
Several broadband and telecom lobbyists, plus providers, support the bill, including: WTA – Advocates for Rural Broadband, Wyoming Telecommunications Association, broadband provider Silver Star, Union Wireless, broadband and middle mile transport provider Range, USTelecom, CTIA and NCTA.
In order to streamline the permitting process for broadband infrastructure, the CLOSE THE GAP Act requires federal land management agencies to issue new regulations that would streamline the process for broadband applications on federal land. The bill also promotes online application tracking for broadband infrastructure projects.
The legislation accelerates broadband deployment by expanding categories that are excluded under the National Environmental Policy Act and limiting additional environmental and historic preservation reviews for certain broadband projects on federal land. The exclusion criteria would apply to:
- Projects involving existing public safety communications facilities on federal land
- Projects located on previously analyzed federal land
- Federal land with existing authorized utilities, powerline facilities, or roads
The bill would establish a special account at the U.S. Treasury Department for each land management agency to deposit cost recovery fees for their own use related specifically to broadband deployment. Lastly, the bill would establish a working group between each federal land management agency to periodically meet and coordinate and expedite application reviews.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
