Chamber Applauds House Bill To Increase Investment in Energy and Telecom Sectors

U.S. Chamber Applauds House Bill To Increase Investment In Energy and Telecom Sectors
Essential Step to Affordable High-Speed Internet

WASHINGTON, DC—The United States Chamber of Commerce applauded the unanimous House passage of the Reasonable Right-of-Way Fees Act (HR 762), which will ease the cost of access to federal lands and will help foster investment in critical energy and telecommunications infrastructure.

"By clearing away the regulatory underbrush in the federal rights-of-way process, Congress is unlocking the doors to investment opportunities that will stimulate the national economy," said Bill Kovacs, Chamber vice president of environment, technology, and regulatory affairs. "This bill will foster investment in the energy and telecommunications sectors, which are dependent upon affordable access to federal lands."

Rep. Barbara Cubin (R-WY) introduced the legislation, titled the Reasonable Right-of-Way Fees Act, in February this year. Strongly supported by the U.S. Chamber, the act seeks to control high rental fees business often must pay when infrastructure traverses federal property. Rental costs are a key barrier in the deployment of telecommunications networks, particularly broadband communications.

The Chamber believes that gains in business productivity are largely due to the information technology boom over the last decade. The expansion of broadband infrastructure represents the underlying source of these advances and is essential to the development and delivery of next generation products, services and conveniences to the American public.

"Lower rights-of-way fees will advance the deployment of broadband at a time when our nation is striving to bring the benefits of high-speed Internet access to all Americans at a reasonable cost," said Kovacs. "At a time when more Americans want affordable high-speed Internet access, this investment is a fundamental and essential step forward."

The Chamber urges the Senate to act promptly to secure the long-term benefits to our economy.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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