N.J. BEAD Plan Notes Possible Permitting Delays

New Jersey sees permitting, workforce and supply chain as possible barriers to high-speed internet deployment, said the state’s Board of Public Utilities (BPU) in an amended five-year action plan posted this week. The board voted 4-0 last week to release the amended plan for the broadband, equity, access and deployment (BEAD) program. The BPU initially filed the draft Aug. 28, but NTIA returned it with feedback Sept. 15. The BPU submitted the amended draft to the federal agency Sept. 29. The New Jersey Department of Transportation is rolling out an electronic permitting review system, the state noted in the latest draft. “While this will create significant efficiencies once enabled … statewide adoption is occurring incrementally, and some localities and providers may experience financial or other challenges in implementation. Additionally, broadband providers have expressed concerns about the investment in time and number of required permits, which can cause unanticipated delays in projects.” New Jersey expects a telecom worker shortage of up to 55,000 jobs by 2026, and “inflation and supply chain issues amplified by the pandemic have continued to create delays in equipment delivery and material availability for broadband infrastructure and deployment,” it said.