Fiber Connect
Bottlenecks Slowing BEAD: Permits, Locates, Labor, and Materials
Fiber construction workers are increasingly being recruited by data center developers, tightening an already scarce labor pool.
permitting
Barrasso Bill Would Increase Broadband Access on Federal Lands
The lawmaker’s bill would allow broadband projects to bypass some environmental and historical reviews.
permitting
Permitting Delays Could Drive Up PJM Power Costs by $100 Billion
Researchers said slow power plant approvals threaten reliability as AI-driven electricity demand rises.
permitting
White House Pushes AI Tools To Speed Federal Permitting
The administration is expanding automated reviews and digital systems.
House Energy and Commerce
Lawmaker Calls for Approved Energy Projects To Move Forward
Approved energy projects are getting tied up in litigation as power demand surges, the Florida Democrat warned.
House Energy and Commerce
Guthrie Pushes Summer Timeline for Bipartisan Permitting Reform
Guthrie criticized proposals to pause or limit data center development over power concerns.
China
Energy Permitting Delays Threaten U.S. AI Growth, Senator Warns
Politicized reviews and court rulings are stalling infrastructure needed to support rising AI-driven energy demand, Armstrong said.
BEAD
NTIA to BEAD Winners: ‘Know Your Rights’
The agency urged ISPs to ensure state contracts exempt them from certain laws and include permitting commitments.
Arkansas
Arkansas Tackles Large-Scale Permitting Challenges
Coordination across agencies and jurisdictions has emerged as the state’s biggest permitting challenge.
permitting
Local Orgs Happy to See Broadband Permitting Bill Stalled
A supportive lawmaker was optimistic a version would move forward at some point.
Expert Opinion
Abe Salander and Zeb Zankel: Real Estate and Commercial Strategies for Monetizing Dark Fiber
Electric utilities have a rare opportunity to monetize their existing fiber infrastructure amid surging demand from AI data centers and federal broadband programs.
permitting
Permitting Reform Needed As Energy, Data Center Demand Surges
Panelists differ on whether to overhaul permitting laws or revise them.
permitting
Local Governments Push Back on House Broadband Permitting Bill
The American Broadband Deployment Act would impose shot clocks on local reviews.
FCC
FCC’s Carr: Retiring Copper Networks Will Save Billions
Chairman Brendan Carr said the FCC has ejected more than 1,200 telecom providers for robocall mitigation.
permitting
USTelecom Pushed for White House Environmental Review Guidance
The White House released new guidance on streamlining federal environmental reviews.
Data Center
First Data Center Project Enters Federal 'FAST' Permitting Program
Designation responds to federal push to streamline approvals for AI infrastructure amid rising demand.
