Legislation is awaiting the Governor’s signature that would allow electric co-ops to create their own hi-speed internet networks in rural areas that lack broadband access.
Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says the pandemic has put a spotlight on the serious problems her rural constituents face with their current non-broadband services.
“It is overpriced and then it is still spotty and irregular and very, very low speed,” says Mizell.
If signed into law co-ops would be able to make broadband companies under separate entities from their current power companies so that utility funds were not used for internet service.
The FCC has committed to spending over 20 billion dollars on expanding rural broadband. Mizell says after that commitment her effort gained a lot of support.
“All of a sudden the federal money came out and verybody became much more interested than they were six months ago,” says Mizell.
Mizell made the comments on Talk Louisiana.
Mizell says many of her lower-income constituents could benefit greatly from broadband in ways they might not expect.
“If they had the interenet they could be saving a lot of money from satellite TV frankly. You don’t have to care about email account there are other ways the internet will save you money,” says Mizell.
Mizell says she has received assurances that Edwards will sign this legislation into law.
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