For Immediate Release
PSC OPENS DOCKET TO INITIATE IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE NEBRASKA BROADBAND BRIDGE ACT (LB388)
Lincoln, June 8, 2021 – On Tuesday, June 8, the Nebraska Public Service
Commission (PSC) approved an Order (C-5272) opening a docket to initiate
the implementation of the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Act.
Signed into law by Governor Pete Ricketts on May 26, the Nebraska
Broadband Bridge Act (LB388), creates the Nebraska Broadband Bridge
Program to be administered by the PSC. The program will provide grants
to fund the deployment of broadband networks in unserved and underserved
areas based on specific priorities identified in the Act.
“This is an exciting time at the Public Service Commission,” said Dan
Watermeier, Commission Chair. “We are looking forward to implementing a
program that will help to bring broadband to more Nebraskans over the next
two years.”
In accordance with the Broadband Bridge Act (LB388), applications for the
first round of grants must be submitted to the Commission on or before
October 1, for fiscal year 2021-22 and on or before July 1 for the following
fiscal years.
To assist in the development of application criteria and a scoring mechanism
for grant funding, the PSC will invite comments due on or before the close of
business Tuesday, June 29. Once comments are received, a hearing will be
held in the docket (C-5272) in the PSC hearing room beginning at 1:00 p.m.,
Tuesday, July 13.
Commissioner Watermeier said, “We’ve got an aggressive timeline to get this
program up and running. Through this docket we are offering interested parties
an opportunity to participate in the process.”
The Order (C-5272) containing questions for comment can be accessed through
the Order page< https://www.nebraska.gov/psc/ordersearch/user/index.cgi > of the
PSC website @ < https://psc.nebraska.gov/ >. ###
Contact:
Deb Collins- Media & Communications Mgr.
(402) 471-0226
deb.collins@nebraska.gov
