Federal Permitting Reforms Create New Opportunities for Telecommunications Infrastructure

Federal Permitting Reforms Create New Opportunities for Telecommunications Infrastructure

Federal agencies have implemented significant permitting and environmental review reforms, creating new pathways for telecommunications infrastructure deployment on federal lands. To date, the Council on Environmental Quality has rescinded existing NEPA regulations and is requiring agencies to develop streamlined procedures based on guidance rather than standardized federal regulations. Additionally, the Department of Interior has introduced emergency procedures that compress Environmental Impact Statements to 28 days and Environmental Assessments to 14 days for qualifying projects.

The federal permitting process is going digital as agencies will implement new digital permitting platforms by August 28, 2025, replacing paper-based processes with automated reviews and real-time project tracking. The Bureau of Land Management has already launched an electronic filing system for communications rights-of-way applications.

DOI Seeks To Further Streamline Permitting and NEPA Review Through Public Input

Building on these initial reforms, the Department of Interior issued a Request for Information, seeking public input on existing regulations that could be modified or repealed to further reduce regulatory burdens. The RFI specifically requests identification of regulations that unnecessarily obstruct, delay, or impose significant costs on infrastructure permitting and delivery.

This regulatory review process presents a valuable opportunity for telecommunications providers to directly influence federal permitting requirements that affect broadband deployment. Companies that have experienced regulatory challenges related to rights-of-way, environmental reviews, or other compliance requirements on federal lands should consider participating in the comment process. Comments are due by June 20,2025.

JSI can assist with analyzing how these reforms may affect your projects and help prepare comprehensive comments that effectively communicate regulatory challenges and proposed solutions. For assistance, contact Brett Hallagan or Douglas Meredith.