117th CONGRESS 1st Session |
To provide that a project to replace or improve a communications facility following a major disaster or an emergency declared by the President is not subject to requirements to prepare certain environmental or historical preservation reviews, and for other purposes.
February 15, 2021
Mr. Dunn introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To provide that a project to replace or improve a communications facility following a major disaster or an emergency declared by the President is not subject to requirements to prepare certain environmental or historical preservation reviews, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
This Act may be cited as the “Connecting Communities Post Disasters Act of 2021”.
SEC. 2. Application of NEPA and NHPA to covered communications projects.
(a) NEPA exemption.—A covered project shall not be subject to the requirements of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)).
(b) National Historic Preservation Act exemption.—A covered project shall not be considered an undertaking under section 300320 of title 54, United States Code.
(c) Definitions.—In this section:
(1) COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY.—The term “communications facility” includes—
(A) any wireless or wireline infrastructure for the transmission of writing, signs, signals, data, images, pictures, or sounds of all kinds;
(B) any transmitting device, tower, or support structure, and any equipment, switches, wiring, cabling, power sources, shelters, or cabinets, associated with the provision of communications services; and
(C) any antenna or apparatus that—
(i) is designed for the purpose of emitting radio frequency;
(ii) is designed to be operated, or is operating, from a fixed location; and
(iii) is added to a tower, building, or other structure.
(2) COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE.—The term “communications service” means a service for the transmission of writing, signs, signals, data, images, pictures, or sounds of all kinds.
(3) COVERED PROJECT.—The term “covered project” means a project that—
(A) is to be carried out within an area for which the President has declared a major disaster or an emergency under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.);
(B) is to be carried out not later than 5 years after the date on which the President made such declaration; and
(C) replaces a communications facility damaged by such disaster or emergency or makes improvements to a communications facility in such area that could reasonably be considered as necessary for recovery from such disaster or emergency or to prevent or mitigate future disasters or emergencies.