Bill Overview
Title: GRID Broadband Act of 2022
Description: This bill establishes a program through which the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) must award competitive, matching grants for constructing or otherwise expanding fiber optics communications infrastructure to support broadband expansion. Eligible grantees include electric grid operators, transmission owners or operators, and other electric utilities. In awarding the grants, the NTIA must prioritize recipients that, among other activities, monitor threats to and otherwise support the security of the electric grid.
Sponsors: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Target Audience
Population: People benefiting from expanded and improved broadband infrastructure
Estimated Size: 20000000
- The bill focuses on expanding fiber optics infrastructure, suggesting it will directly impact internet service providers and consumers lacking broadband access.
- Electric grid operators and other utility companies will see direct impacts from the availability of new grant opportunities.
- Broadband expansion will mainly affect rural and underserved areas where existing internet infrastructure is insufficient.
- Improved broadband is likely to have secondary effects on economic development and access to services such as education and healthcare.
- Globally, access to broadband varies drastically, with many regions still lacking adequate internet infrastructure. However, this bill is US-centric and targets domestic improvements.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily benefits people in rural areas with limited broadband access by improving their connectivity options through expanded infrastructure.
- Electric utilities involved in broadband infrastructure expansion could see a business benefit from the grants and improved operational technology.
- People in urban or suburban areas with existing broadband won't see a direct impact from infrastructure grants but might benefit indirectly if nationwide internet connectivity improves.
- While the financial impact of the grant program is significant, the immediate and long-term effects could vary based on location, occupation, and personal circumstances.
- The overarching expectation is for improved access to internet services, boosting opportunities for economic activities and access to education and healthcare services.
Simulated Interviews
High School Teacher (Rural Alabama)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this policy could help my students access more resources online.
- Better internet could improve teaching and learning experiences.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
IT Specialist (Urban New York)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy doesn't affect me directly as I already have good internet.
- However, I see how it could help businesses in rural areas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Small Business Owner (Suburban Ohio)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to better internet could expand my customer base.
- I'm hopeful this will lower some of my operational costs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired (Rural Montana)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having better internet could mean easier access to healthcare services.
- I hope this also means better connection with my children and grandchildren.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Farm Worker (Rural Texas)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved internet could let me take online courses and enhance my skills.
- This is a much-needed change for our area.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Electric Utility Technician (Suburban California)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could mean more work opportunities for me.
- It may help our utility to advance in technology and security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Office Manager (Urban Ohio)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy doesn't directly affect me, as my internet needs are already met.
- However, I support improvements because it aids overall connectivity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Rancher (Rural Wyoming)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful that better internet will improve my business's efficiency.
- It's hard to work with the current inconsistent service.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Student (Rural Idaho)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Better broadband could really help with my studies.
- Currently, it's a struggle to keep up with online classes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Healthcare Worker (Rural West Virginia)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If internet services improve, we could offer better telehealth options.
- This could greatly enhance patient care.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $100000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $120000000)
Year 2: $250000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $300000000)
Year 3: $350000000 (Low: $300000000, High: $400000000)
Year 5: $500000000 (Low: $450000000, High: $550000000)
Year 10: $600000000 (Low: $550000000, High: $650000000)
Year 100: $800000000 (Low: $750000000, High: $850000000)
Key Considerations
- The program's success depends on effective partnership with state and local governments to identify and execute projects.
- Potential challenges include higher-than-anticipated costs due to technical and geographical barriers in rural areas.
- Effectiveness will hinge on the grantees' ability to meet stringent reporting and security requirements set by NTIA.