Under legislation proposed by U.S. Rep. John Joyce (R-PA), projects to collocate telecommunications service facilities could bypass requirements for preparing certain environmental or historical preservation reviews in an effort to hasten reliable broadband deployment and expanded internet access in America’s rural communities.
“It’s time to deliver on our promise of creating an economy that’s strong by finally closing the digital divide for rural communities,” Rep. Joyce said on Tuesday.
Specifically, the Broadband Competition and Deployment Act, H.R. 3288, which Rep. Joyce sponsored on May 15, would exempt broadband projects from National Environmental Policy Act and National Historic Preservation Act reviews.
“Now more than ever, Americans rely on broadband internet access in order to work, learn, and heal from home,” said Rep. Joyce. “The Broadband Competition and Deployment Act would slash unnecessary red tape that often gets in the way of delivering results for Pennsylvania families.”
H.R. 3288 has been referred for consideration to both the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee and the U.S. House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee, and is part of a House E&C Committee legislative push to reform the broadband permitting process, according to Rep. Joyce’s office.
“Many families and businesses across the country still lack access to broadband, which is a critical part of today’s economy,” said U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), who chairs the E&C Committee. “Energy and Commerce is leading to remove regulatory red tape, deploy broadband faster, get Americans across the country connected, and close the digital divide once and for all.
“The legislative package we’re unveiling today will help us connect all Americans,” Rep. McMorris Rodgers said, commending Rep. Joyce for his leadership on the bill.