Lincoln, Neb. – – The Nebraska Public Service Commissioners signed a resolution June 6, transitioning the Commission’s role in the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program to the Nebraska Broadband Office (NBO) and the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT).
In June of 2022, the Commission was named as the administering agency for the federal BEAD
program. Managed by the National Telecommunications Information Association (NTIA),
BEAD will make $42.5 billion available to states for broadband buildout.
“Since accepting the role as the administering agency, the Commission has been working to
comply with all federal requirements, including the development of a five-year plan that must be
completed in order for the state to receive BEAD funding,” said Commission Chair Dan
Watermeier. “I am extremely proud of the work accomplished by our staff in laying the
groundwork for a successful BEAD program in Nebraska.”
The resolution, which reiterates the Commissions’ commitment to the smooth transition of
activities and federal grant award responsibilities to the NBO/NDOT follows the passage of LB-
683. The bill established the framework for the Nebraska Broadband Office and was signed into
law by Governor Pillen on May 26. The Nebraska Broadband Office was created in January by
an Executive Order issued by the Governor.
Commission Chair Watermeier said, “We will continue to join with our state partners to
bring broadband to Nebraskans and we look forward to working with the new director of the
Broadband Office.”
A copy of the resolution can be found on the PSC website @
https://psc.nebraska.gov/telecommunications/broadband-equity-access-deployment-bead.
