Disaster Regulatory Policy

There has been a lot of talk over the last year at the state and national level about lowering the regulatory and paperwork barriers for internet service providers (ISPs) building rural networks funded by Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program grants. I don’t know any rural ISP that doesn’t think this is a good idea. Any efforts that can simplify processes like permitting, pole attachments, and environmental studies would be a big benefit for a rural construction effort. There is another situation that probably warrants easier and simpler paperwork. Many communities have disaster and emergency plans that describe ways to ensure public safety and government functions after a natural disaster. I think these plans should include ways to make it easier to restore electric utilities and communications networks after a disaster.