FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PSC ISSUES ORDER DENYING MOTION
FOR RECONSIDERATION
Lincoln, March 12, 2024- The Nebraska Public Service
Commission (PSC) has issued an Order (C-5484) denying
a motion by AMG Nebraska, ISP, LLC, (AMG) for
reconsideration of a Nebraska Broadband Bridge
Program (NBBP) grant awarded to another carrier during
the 2023 grant cycle.
AMG filed its motion seeking reconsideration of the
Commission’s award of an NBBP grant to another carrier
in Gage County. AMG indicated that the award granted
by the PSC to Pinpoint Communications, Inc., would
overlap 23 of the 950 locations for which Gage County
had previously awarded AMG funding, resulting in
duplication of funding resources for broadband
infrastructure. AMG also indicated that it did not initially
challenge the overlapping award, based on an
understanding that the Commission was made aware of
the overlap by county leadership.
“We are currently in the fourth grant cycle for the Nebraska
Broadband Bridge Program,” said Commission Chair Dan
Watermeier. “The process for challenges during a grant
cycle is not only set forth in statute but is also well defined
by the Commission. In this instance that process was not
followed.”
In its Order denying the motion for reconsideration, the
Commission found that AMG did not file a challenge by
the deadlines set forth for the 2023 NBBP grant process.
As such, the Commission is unable to consider a challenge
that was not filed since it was never provided with the
specific detailed information needed to determine AMG’s
ability to complete the broadband infrastructure and serve
the locations in question at the required speeds within the
18-month deployment timeframe as required by the grant
program.
Commissioner Watermeier said, “We cannot decide on a
purported challenge lacking the essential information
required by statue.”
During the 2023 grant cycle the Commission received 51
applications for funding through the NBBP. Sixteen of the
applications received were challenged. Upon review of the
applications and the challenges received through the grant
process, the Commission determined 22 projects would be
funded. The grants awarded were submitted by 10 providers
for a total of $19,713,379.26. Projects funded through the
2023 grant cycle must be completed by July 9, 2025.
A detailed list of projects approved through the 2023 grant
cycle and funding amounts of those projects can be found
on the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program page of the
PSC website.###
Contact:
Deb Collins- Communications & Media Mgr.
(402) 471-0226 / deb.collins@nebraska.gov
