Committee approves Sen. Vitelli bill to bring broadband connectivity to rural communities

Posted: March 11, 2022 | Energy, Utilities and Technology, Senator Vitelli

AUGUSTA – On Thursday, the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee voted in favor of a bill from Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, to help expand high-quality, reliable internet access to more underserved Maine communities. An amended version of LD 1894, “An Act To Support Municipal Broadband Infrastructure through Incentives and Competition,” received a vote of 5-3, with five members absent.

Sen. Eloise Vitelli

“As we seek to achieve our goal of universal, high-speed, reliable internet connectivity across Maine, we must make sure that our communities have the tools they need,” said Sen. Vitelli. “As small, rural parts of Maine, like my town of Arrowsic, look to bring connectivity to residents, the ability to access matching funds, which in turn helps unlock federal and other grants, is so necessary. This bill will help ensure that Mainers in every corner of the state will be able to use the internet to stay in touch with friends, get help from their doctors, grow their businesses and more. I’m grateful to my colleagues on the Committee for their support.”

LD 1894 would make more resources available to consumer-owned public utilities that want to bring connectivity to underserved residents and businesses. The bill makes changes to the Municipal Gigabit Broadband Network Access Fund by allowing the Fund to provide matching funds to municipalities that are seeking grants from other sources that require fund matching, as many federal and other grants do. Municipalities that are awarded this funding must provide connectivity to any underserved community anchor institution in the project area, like libraries or town offices, so that residents without internet connectivity at home may still access it nearby.

The bill also requires consumer-owned public utilities seeking to expand into the provision of broadband services to register with the Public Utilities Commission. Finally, it directs the ConnectMaine Authority, the Public Utilities Commission and the Office of the Public Advocate to work together to develop standard charter provisions that water districts may use to develop legislation that would authorize them to operate or provide broadband.

“This bill helps [small, rural towns] make some informed choices about building out internet capacity, either by paying these cable companies to extend their lines to make it more accessible to residents in underserved areas, or by investing in new town-wide fiber systems,” said Rep. Allison Hepler, D-Woolwich, in testimony supporting the bill. “Because each community’s needs are different, this bill allows for flexibility. One size does not fit all. For this to happen, small towns need access to resources. This bill provides some avenues for that, including match funding, which would be a huge benefit.”

“Having quality broadband means access to remote work and learning opportunities, access to health care via telehealth, and increased economic opportunities for current and future businesses,” said Rockland Mayor Ed Glaser on behalf of the Maine Mayors’ Coalition in testimony supporting LD 1894. “Too many communities have limited or no choices for broadband. Opening these funds to create new networks would provide residents and local businesses with alternatives that will spur additional competition while expanding access.”

LD 1894 now faces votes in the Senate and the House.