Electric cooperatives rallied Congress last week to support expanded, affordable rural internet access and discussed the challenges and opportunities of deploying broadband as part of the fourth annual NRECA Broadband Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.

The event, which was open to NRECA Broadband members, took place as agencies and Congress weigh the future of federal programs aimed at connecting rural areas with high-speed internet service. Registered summit attendees hit a new record high of nearly 170 people.

“We’re seeing growing interest, growing value in being here in Washington,” NRECA Broadband Director Cliff Johnson said.

Participation in NRECA Broadband is also increasing, with 127 active members and more in the application process.

“The state of the broadband initiative is strong, it is growing, it is thriving, it is self-sustaining at this point, and it is here to stay,” Johnson told summit attendees.

NRECA CEO Jim Matheson highlighted the benefits of NRECA Broadband membership, including new events and trainings and support with operational and safety planning. He also outlined top policy issues for co-op broadband providers as they prepared to meet with their representatives on Capitol Hill.

“Your high level of engagement and willingness to engage on issues is giving us a very strong voice in the advocacy arena and a true seat at the table,” Matheson said during the June 4 opening session. “Thanks to all of you, Congress and the administration view NRECA Broadband as an expert source that they can rely on.”

NRECA is urging the Trump administration to help states quickly implement the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program, with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration releasing new guidance on the program on June 6.

Co-ops also want improved broadband mapping, streamlined project permitting, additional grant funding for middle-mile broadband networks, and higher minimum upload and download speeds in federal broadband programs.

Expanding rural broadband access “is one of those rare issues in Washington, D.C., where lawmakers in both parties think it’s a good idea,” Matheson said.

“As you’re engaging lawmakers this week, I encourage you to embrace the opportunity to tell your story.”

Policy Insights

Top lawmakers and representatives of the Federal Communications Commission and Department of Agriculture spoke at the three-day conference.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said she was optimistic that the government will disburse BEAD grant funding. She also pledged support for the USDA’s ReConnect program to deploy broadband networks in rural and remote areas and wants the program included in the upcoming Farm Bill.

Improving rural broadband access “couldn’t be more important” to building up the U.S. economy, said Klobuchar, who co-chairs the bipartisan Senate Broadband Caucus.

“I want to get [BEAD] funding released, and we push to make sure these grants are unfrozen,” she said.

Rep. Erin Houchin, R-Ind., said she wants to cut red tape around BEAD grants, improve broadband mapping accuracy, and support funding for middle mile infrastructure that links internet service providers’ local networks to the broader internet ecosystem.

“I’ll keep doing everything I can to help support you in Congress,” said Houchin, who serves on the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. “My goal is to ensure that every American has access to fast, affordable, reliable internet.”

Callie Coker, legal adviser to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, said her boss’s priorities include removing “unnecessary regulatory burdens,” including those that could slow the buildout of broadband networks. As part of that effort, the commission has taken recent steps to make retiring old copper networks easier so broadband providers can invest in more modern fiber technology.

NRECA Broadband members were also briefed by Laurel Leverrier, assistant administrator of telecommunications programs for the USDA’s Rural Utilities Service.

Both the ReConnect and Community Connect grant programs were oversubscribed last year, Leverrier said. The USDA is working to streamline permitting of those projects as it prepares for a “big wave” of new construction stemming from BEAD awards.

“Our goal is to get as many of our projects under construction well in advance of that,” Leverrier said, noting the limited amount of labor, materials and other resources to construct those projects.

FCC staff members also briefed co-ops on how they can help update national mapping data, which can guide federal funding decisions and co-op broadband investments.

If co-ops find errors or want to challenge the data, “reach out to us directly at the commission. We’re happy to have those meetings and those conversations,” said Eduard Bartholme, acting chief of the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau.

Broadband Emergency Response

During a June 6 panel discussion, co-ops also shared their thoughts on restoring broadband networks after storms and other disasters.

Growth in broadband deployment is increasing business opportunities for electric co-ops but “adds to the complexity” of disaster recovery, said Michael McWaters, executive vice president and CEO of Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative, based in Live Oak, Florida.

“It’s an emotional process at times, so try to predetermine what your mutual aid requirements are going to be ahead of time,” he said.

Panelists emphasized the need for emergency response plans, mutual aid networks for fiber and good documentation when applying for federal aid.

“I do believe that there’s a great roadmap from the electrical side” on bouncing back from disasters, said Corey Parr, vice president of safety and loss prevention at Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange. “The fiber side is new to us, but I think we have a great roadmap.”