"The legislation authorizing BEAD gives states and subgrantees just four years after distribution to finish construction. "As program guidance continues to solidify and evolve through the implementation process, federal lawmakers can work with states and the [National Telecommunications and Information Administration] to eliminate roadblocks and answer questions," Pew says in an analysis paper, " What's Next for Broadband Expansion? " Lack of coordination could risk missing the four-year deadline in some cases."
"NTIA has created an online Environmental Screening and Permitting Tracking Tool to help projects through the permitting process, allowing states to keep track of specific federal permitting cases and offering an escalation option for permits that seem to be jammed in the process. However, the Pew analysis notes that NTIA has concerns about whether federal agencies have the staffing required to meet the likely upturn in permitting requests BEAD will cause. Once construction begins, the analysis envisions broadband service providers facing potential shortages of fiber plant and other construction materials, as well as shortages of construction workers and communications technicians."
"Beyond close monitoring of the situation by federal policymakers, Pew does not suggest potential solutions to supply chain and workforce issues. The analysis also addresses the ongoing controversy over BEAD non-deployment funding. NTIA has approved or provisionally approved less than half the funds"
The BEAD program is approaching distribution to states, and states and subgrantees will have four years from distribution to complete construction. Coordination between federal and state officials is critical to streamline permitting and avoid delays. NTIA created an Environmental Screening and Permitting Tracking Tool to monitor federal permits and offer escalation for stalled cases. NTIA has concerns about federal agency staffing to handle increased permitting demand. Construction could face shortages of fiber plant, other materials, construction workers, and communications technicians. Controversy exists over non-deployment funding, with NTIA approving or provisionally approving less than half the funds.
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