19 Apr UTC President and CEO Commends Rep. Eshoo for Re-Introduction of Community Broadband Act
Arlington, VA—April 19, 2022—
The following statement may be attributed to UTC President and CEO Sheryl Osiene-Riggs.
“The Utilities Technology Council (UTC) commends Representative Eshoo for her continued leadership in reintroducing The Community Broadband Act. Today, Internet access has become a necessity for the American people, and this legislation will help to close the digital divide. Public power utilities and electric cooperatives are uniquely positioned to promote access to robust, reliable, and affordable broadband service, yet 22 states currently restrict or prohibit them from offering broadband. The Community Broadband Act will help preempt those restrictions, which are a vestige of the past, written to protect incumbent providers, and now serve only to widen the digital divide. For many years, utilities have been successfully deploying broadband infrastructure and/or providing broadband internet service to their communities. The Community Broadband Act will enable all utilities in every state across the nation to promote access to robust, reliable, and affordable broadband for all Americans.”
