The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has announced that it is seeking public and federal agency comment on the preparation of a Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) that will be used by RUS in the administration of its Telecommunications Program. The PEA will review potential environmental impacts of both wired and wireless projects financed by the agency. RUS’ Telecommunications Program provides a variety of loans and grants to build and expand broadband networks in rural America through the following funding programs: Infrastructure Loan Program, Farm Bill Broadband Loan Program, Community Connect Grant Program, and Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program. Comments are due on or before January 27, 2015, and should reference docket number RUS-14-Telecom-0008.
