Permitting

New Senate Permitting Bill Amendment Would Speed Some Federally Funded Broadband Projects

Wireline broadband projects backed by federal grants would be exempt from NEPA review

Jake Neenan

Jake Neenan

— 4 min read
New Senate Permitting Bill Amendment Would Speed Some Federally Funded Broadband Projects
Photo of Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., left, and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Monday's press conference by Drew Clark

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2026 – In an update to sweeping permitting reform legislation, senators added language that would exempt some federally funded broadband projects from lengthy environmental reviews.

The amendment would create an exemption under the National Environmental Policy Act for federally funded broadband projects on rights-of-way that had already been analyzed. It would only apply to wireline broadband projects.

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