H.R. 1655: Wildfire Communications Resiliency Act

This bill, known as the Wildfire Communications Resiliency Act, proposes changes to the requirements surrounding the construction and restoration of communication facilities following major disasters or emergencies related to wildfires. The main points of the bill are as follows:

Key Provisions

• Exemption from Environmental Reviews: The bill states that federal authorizations for certain communications projects will not be treated as major federal actions under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This means that these projects will not need to undergo the usual environmental and historical preservation reviews that are typically required.
• Exemption from Historical Preservation Reviews: Similarly, these projects will also be exempt from the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) reviews, allowing for faster construction and rebuilding of communication facilities.

Definitions and Criteria

The bill outlines specific criteria for what constitutes a "covered project." These criteria include:

• The project must take place in an area that has been declared a major disaster or emergency due to a wildfire by the President, a state governor, or the chief executive of an Indian tribal government.
• The project must be initiated within five years of the disaster or emergency declaration.
• The project must either replace a communication facility that was damaged during the disaster or improve a facility in a way that helps recovery or future disaster prevention.

Definitions of Terms

The bill also defines several key terms to clarify its application:

• Major Disaster: Defined as a major disaster declared by the President or a state governor under relevant laws.
• Emergency: Refers to emergencies declared by applicable authorities.
• Federal Authorization: Includes any permits and approvals needed under federal law for a covered project.

Implementation

If this bill is passed, it is expected to expedite the process of restoring communication services in areas impacted by wildfires, allowing quicker recovery efforts without the delay often caused by extensive reviews and approvals.

Relevant Companies

• TMUS (T-Mobile US, Inc.): May benefit from expedited rebuilding of communication infrastructure in wildfire-affected areas where they operate.
• VZ (Verizon Communications Inc.): Could see advantages in faster restoration of services following wildfires, allowing for improved customer connectivity during emergencies.
• SBAC (SBA Communications Corporation): As a company that provides communication services infrastructure, this bill may facilitate their expanding or hardening of communication facilities in wildfire-prone areas.