ELECTRIC UTILITY AND ERCOT NEWS
ESS News: ERCOT proposes $1,500/MW incentive for legacy Texas storage to adopt grid stability support
April 8 — Older storage and renewables might be incentivized to add grid stability services in Texas if current plans continue with a $25 million program.
https://www.ess-news.com/2026/04/08/ercot-proposes-1500-mw-incentive-for-legacy-texas-storage-to-adopt-grid-stability-support/
NBC DFW: Power outages disrupt businesses, raise concerns in Celina
April 7 — Frustration is mounting in North Texas’ Celina as residents and downtown businesses deal with repeated power outages.
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/celina-businesses-lose-money-power-outages/4007065/
Center For Strategic Studies: The Texas Energy Reference Design: Stress-Testing Load Growth Challenges for an AI Century (COMMENTARY)
April 7 — Texas long stood apart from national energy policy—its own grid, its own rules. In 2026, that independence has made it the top destination for AI-driven electricity demand. While Washington grapples with the pressures of building data centers, ensuring reliability, and controlling costs, Texas is tackling everything at once.
https://www.csis.org/analysis/texas-energy-reference-design-stress-testing-load-growth-challenges-ai-century
American Public Power Association: How Public Power Utilities Deliver Savings Amid Rising Energy Costs
April 6 — It’s been more than a year since the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that electricity rates have outpaced inflation since 2022, and the agency predicts that trend will continue through 2026. The higher bills have been a focus of local elections and spurred public interest in public utility commission proceedings.
https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/maintaining-energy-affordability-how-public-power-utilities-deliver-savings-amid-rising-energy-costs
Houston Chronicle: Data centers balloon demand in ERCOT
April 6 — The agency said peak demand could reach 145 GW by 2030, and it currently has about 453 GW of requests to connect to the grid. ERCOT’s all-time peak demand was 85 GW in August 2023.
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/houston-chronicle/20260406/282050513620553
Sweetwater Reporter: Patrick Rhode Sworn in as Commissioner of the Public Utility Commission of Texas
April 4 — Patrick Rhode was sworn in today as Commissioner of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). Commissioner Rhode was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott effective April 1, 2026. His career spans public and private sector experiences from the White House to industry leading corporations.
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/sweetwater-reporter/20260404/281543707476524
Foley & Lardner: Texas Legislature Sets Its Sights on Data Centers and AI: What You Need to Know
April 3 — Texas House and Senate leadership recently released their interim charges, which serve as “homework assignments” for legislative committees to study before the 2027 session. These directives often form the foundation for future legislation, and can signal leadership priorities for the upcoming session. This year’s charges show a clear focus on the rapid growth of data centers, artificial intelligence (AI), and their impact on the state’s infrastructure and the conduct of private and public business in the state.
https://www.foley.com/p/102mot7/texas-legislature-sets-its-sights-on-data-centers-and-ai-what-you-need-to-know/
Houston Today: Texas Governor Candidate Warns of Potential Power Outages
April 3 — Jenn Mack Raphoon, a candidate for Texas governor, has issued an urgent message to Texans, warning them to prepare for potential power outages this summer. Raphoon’s warning comes as the state’s electric grid operator, ERCOT, projects tightening reserve margins in the coming months.
https://nationaltoday.com/us/tx/houston/news/2026/04/03/texas-governor-candidate-warns-of-potential-power-outages/
Texas Energy & Power Newsletter: More Generation, More Transmission, More Load, More Challenges
April 2 — ERCOT’s latest operational and interconnection updates show continued growth in new power generation projects. Since December, roughly 9,275 megawatts of new capacity have been added to the interconnection queue, including solar, wind, battery storage, and gas projects.
https://www.texasenergyandpower.com/p/more-generation-more-transmission?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share
My San Antonio: How does artificial intelligence, data centers use so much water in Texas?
April 1 — Texas has become a major hotbed amid rampant efforts to expand and construct data centers across the country. But with the advancement of this technology comes concerns about the volume of water needed to operate these facilities and support artificial intelligence technology.
https://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/how-does-ai-use-water-22155910.php
Community Impact: ERCOT, developers detail plans to manage data center growth amid legislative scrutiny
April 1 — The Texas power grid is undergoing “generational” growth, experts said during the Electric Reliability Council of Texas’ annual summit March 31 in Round Rock. Much of that growth is due to data centers—an industry under scrutiny from state lawmakers as some Texas communities push back against proposed data center developments.
https://communityimpact.com/austin/round-rock/texas-legislature/2026/04/01/ercot-developers-detail-plans-to-manage-data-center-growth-amid-legislative-scrutiny/
Texas Energy and Power Newsletter: More Generation, More Transmission, More Load, More Challenges
April 2 — Recent reports and rulemakings from ERCOT and PUCT point to three major trends shaping the Texas grid: rapid growth, rising transmission investment, and large load management.
https://www.texasenergyandpower.com/p/more-generation-more-transmission?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share
Transformer Magazine: Texas plans massive 765-kV transmission line
April 1 — Oncor and LCRA propose up to 390 km of high-voltage line to meet Permian Basin’s growing electricity demand.
https://transformers-magazine.com/tm-news/texas-plans-massive-765-kv-transmission-line/
E&E News: Texas launches $350M nuclear fund ahead of data center boom
April 1 — The plan arrived the same day the state Senate’s Business and Commerce Committee is holding a hearing to ask regulators and grid managers how they plan to connect large power users to the grid without causing outages or raising prices for residents and small businesses. Abbott said in a statement that the fund will help jump-start a new nuclear energy ecosystem in Texas.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/texas-launches-350m-nuclear-fund-ahead-of-data-center-boom/
Fort Worth Report: Fort Worth bestows historic protection on TXU North Main plant
March 31 — The historic TXU North Main power plant at the Trinity River north of downtown now has significant protection against demolition under rezoning the Fort Worth City Council approved Tuesday.
https://fortworthreport.org/2026/03/31/fort-worth-bestows-historic-protection-on-txu-north-main-plant/
Utility Dive: Oncor, LCRA propose up to 244 miles of 765-kV Texas transmission
March 31 — The proposal supports Texas’ effort to build a network of high-voltage transmission lines to serve growing demand in the Permian Basin.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/oncor-lcra-propose-up-to-244-miles-of-765-kv-texas-transmission/816207/
KCENTV: Holland homeowner shares how $2 Billion ONCOR transmission line project would run next to their property
March 31 — Christine Thies and her husband finally found their piece of Texas in Bell County. Now, a nearly $2 billion transmission line could change everything.
https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/holland-homeowner-2-billion-oncor-transmission-line-project-would-run-next-to-property/500-732b0f24-55b0-49e5-a61e-c2b0c9d37a1e
Broadband Breakfast: Microsoft Takes Over a Texas AI Data Center Expansion After OpenAI Backs Away
March 30 — Microsoft is taking over a data center construction project in Texas after OpenAI declined to pursue it.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/microsoft-takes-over-a-texas-ai-data-center-expansion-after-openai-backs-away/
American Public Power Association: Oncor, LCRA Transmission Services File Application to Build 765- kV Transmission Line in Texas
March 30 — Oncor and LCRA Transmission Services Corporation have filed an application to build a 765-kV transmission line from Schleicher to Bell Counties in Texas to help meet the state’s current and future electric reliability needs.
https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/oncor-lcra-transmission-services-file-application-build-765-kv-transmission-line-texas
Foley Viewpoints: The “But For” Dilemma – How Proposed Texas Public Utility Commission Large Load Interconnection Rules Impact Government Incentives Strategies
March 30 — Companies seeking governmental incentives for expansion or relocation projects, such as tax abatements or state-level grants, must typically demonstrate that the project would not be viable “but for” the receipt of those incentives.
https://www.foley.com/p/102mofl/the-but-for-dilemma-how-proposed-texas-public-utility-commission-large-load-i/
Dallas Business Journal: Fort Worth weighs tax breaks for $1.1 billion data center project
March 30 — Fort Worth city leaders will decide whether to approve a substantial tax incentive package for an East Coast data center company considering a major investment. DART’s CEO search and the Dallas Wings’ training facility are also at pivotal points, as is the historic TXU Power Plant on Panther Island.
https://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2026/03/30/edged-us-dart-ceo-dallas-wings-txu-panther.html
Latitude Media: The multimillion dollar debate over powering data centers in Texas
March 30 — But as the rulemaking process for SB6 has unfolded, it’s becoming clear just how far apart regulators and the AI industry are when it comes to the price of grid admission. Other markets around the country are closely watching the back-and-forth between Texas and developers over the size of financial commitments, and whether to grandfather in existing projects, explained Anne Liu, the research lead for ERCOT at Aurora Energy Research.
https://www.latitudemedia.com/news/the-multimillion-dollar-debate-over-powering-data-centers-in-texas/
National Law Review: Request for Comments on Texas PUCT Draft Report Regarding Transmission Cost Recovery in the ERCOT Region
March 30 — On 16 March 2026, following a workshop and two rounds of public comments, the Commission issued a draft report (the Draft Report) providing six draft recommendations. Commission Staff invites comments on the draft recommendations, due by 13 April 2026, prior to the issuance of a final report.
https://natlawreview.com/article/request-comments-texas-puct-draft-report-regarding-transmission-cost-recovery-ercot
KVUE: ERCOT partnering with UT to study next-generation energy technology
March 27 — ERCOT, the state’s power grid operator, is partnering with the University of Texas to study next-generation energy technology.
https://www.kvue.com/video/news/education/university-of-texas/ercot-ut-next-generation-energy-technology/269-14304504-db4f-4fd8-82cd-4cf1f1c20bfd
KSAT: Texas Supreme Court ends lawsuits against power generators over 2021 winter storm
March 27 — But Sandie Haverlah, president of the Texas Consumer Association, said Friday that the 2021 storm likely will not be the only extreme weather event of that caliber. She pointed to the state Legislature’s efforts to better prepare power generation companies for extreme weather as an acknowledgement of that — and of energy providers’ own culpability in the fallout.
https://www.ksat.com/news/texas/2026/03/27/texas-supreme-court-ends-lawsuits-against-power-generators-over-2021-winter-storm/
KVUE: ERCOT partnering with UT to study next-generation energy technology
March 27 — ERCOT, the state’s power grid operator, is partnering with the University of Texas to study next-generation energy technology.
https://www.kvue.com/video/news/education/university-of-texas/ercot-ut-next-generation-energy-technology/269-14304504-db4f-4fd8-82cd-4cf1f1c20bfd
KXXV: Oncor, LCRA TSC seek state approval for 765kV transmission line across Central Texas
March 27 — Oncor and LCRA Transmission Services Corporation have applied for state approval to build a high-voltage transmission line spanning from Schleicher to Bell counties, a project officials say is critical to keeping pace with Texas’ surging electricity demand.
https://www.kxxv.com/news/texas-news/oncor-lcra-tsc-seek-state-approval-for-765kv-transmission-line-across-central-texas
KCEN TV: Proposed transmission line project continues to raise alarms in Central Texas
March 27 — Oncor and LCRA Transmission Services Corporation are seeking approval from the Public Utility Commission of Texas to build a 765-kilovolt transmission line stretching from Central to West Texas. The project would impact more than a dozen counties.
https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/proposed-power-line-project-continues-raise-alarms-central-texas/500-6c64b576-b2f7-490e-a921-bf2600b4ca61
Houston Public Media: Texas energy regulators, industry leaders face power demand questions amid growth of data centers
March 26 — The AI boom has dominated conversations at CERAWeek, the annual energy conference in Houston.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/infrastructure/2026/03/26/547233/ai-data-centers-texas-ercot-power-ceraweek/?amp=1
Business Wire: Oncor Electric Acquires Key Land in Ellis County for 765-kV Substation Project
March 26 — In addition to the close proximity of the property to the Stainback 345-kV substation, Oncor’s acquisition of land in Ellis, County for the development of the future 765-kV/345-kV substation and switch station, is a significant step forward in connecting the pieces of Texas’ emerging extra-high-voltage transmission backbone.
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260326178579/en/Oncor-Electric-Acquires-Key-Land-in-Ellis-County-for-765-kV-Substation-Project
GAS UTILITY and RAILROAD COMMISSION NEWS
Texas Insider: RRC Celebrates 135 Years of Dedicated Service to Texas
April 7 — Since its founding in 1891, the Commission has guided Texas through many significant periods of change, from its initial role regulating a rapidly expanding railroad system, to the oil boom of the early 20th century, and, more recently, the shale boom of the 2000s.
https://texasinsider.org/articles/rrc-celebrates-135-years-of-dedicated-service-to-texas
Midland Reporter Telegram: Texas Railroad Commission Seeks Public Input on Monitoring Plan
April 4 — The annual call for stakeholder comment stems from Texas Natural Resources Code Sec. 81.066, which requires the commission to develop an annual plan to use oil and gas monitoring and enforcement resources strategically to ensure public safety and protect the environment. The statute directs the commission to seek input when developing the annual plan.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/rrc-seeks-comment-on-monitoring-plan/ar-AA209tiJ
KERA News: Atmos Energy reports old pipe leak in Lake Dallas home explosion, residents criticize city response
April 3 — At a Lake Dallas council meeting Wednesday, Atmos Energy officials confirmed a gas leak from an old pipe caused an explosion that significantly injured a woman and displaced others.
https://www.keranews.org/news/2026-04-03/atmos-energy-reports-old-pipe-leak-in-lake-dallas-home-explosion-residents-criticize-city-response
Daily Tribune: Burnet Fights Steep Atmos Rate Hike
April 2 — On March 24, the Burnet City Council voted to delay the date of Atmos’ rate hike, originally scheduled for April 21, by 45 days.
https://www.dailytrib.com/2026/04/02/burnet-fights-steep-atmos-gas-hike/
El Paso Times: Texas Gas Service seeks to raise rates again; El Paso City Council says no
April 1 — The El Paso City Council voted to deny the utility’s proposed increase under the state’s Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program, or GRIP, during its work session on Monday, March 30. The City
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/el-paso-times/20260402/281487872897753
Office of Gov. Greg Abbott: Governor Abbott Touts Legislative Wins, Highlights Success Of Texas Energy Industry At TIPRO
March 31 — Governor Greg Abbott today delivered remarks emphasizing the critical role the oil and gas industry plays in making our state an economic powerhouse at the Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO) 80th Annual Convention.
https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-touts-legislative-wins-highlights-success-of-texas-energy-industry-at-tipro
NBC DFW: Atmos Energy reps speak at Lake Dallas special meeting, present latest findings
APRIL 2 — For the first time since last month’s house explosion in Lake Dallas, Atmos Energy officials are speaking out about their latest findings. Residents packed the city council chambers on Wednesday night during a special meeting to voice ongoing concerns.
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/atmos-energy-reps-speak-at-lake-dallas-special-meeting-present-latest-findings/4004582/
WFAA: “We deserve answers”: Residents press Atmos Energy, city officials in first public meeting since house explosion
April 2 — A packed city hall meeting Tuesday night underscored a community still shaken and searching for answers nearly two weeks after a home explosion rocked a Lake Dallas neighborhood.
https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/tarrant-county/we-deserve-answers-residents-press-atmos-energy-city-officials-in-first-public-meeting-since-house-explosion/287-0ec41cf8-1d5f-430c-b660-6192346bc13f
El Paso Times: El Paso City Council denies another attempted rate hike by Texas Gas Service
April 1 — The city is pushing back against yet another attempt by Texas Gas Service to raise rates.
https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/local/2026/03/31/el-paso-city-council-denies-yet-another-gas-rate-increase/89405258007/
KTSM: City Council votes to deny interim rate hike from Texas Gas
March 30 — This latest action involves a new and separate filing under the Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program (GRIP). It is different from the broader Texas Gas Service rate case already under appeal by the City.
https://www.ktsm.com/video/city-council-votes-to-deny-interim-rate-hike-from-texas-gas/11655678/
Lake Dallas Today: Atmos Energy Faces Lawsuit Over Texas Gas Explosion as Credit Facilities Extended
March 31 — The utility’s financing capacity and safety practices are under scrutiny as it navigates legal and regulatory risks.
https://nationaltoday.com/us/tx/lake-dallas/news/2026/03/31/atmos-energy-faces-lawsuit-over-texas-gas-explosion-as-credit-facilities-extended/
Texas Tribune: Hardline conservative donors Tim Dunn, Farris Wilks ballooned Bo French’s Railroad Commission campaign
March 31 —Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks made their fortune in the oil business. They’ve deployed millions of dollars to pull the Texas GOP and Legislature toward their hardline stances.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/03/31/bo-french-tim-dunn-donation-texas-railroad-commission-2026-election/
KTSM: El Paso City Council votes to deny interim rate hike from Texas Gas in continuing fight
March 31 — This latest action involves a new and separate filing under the Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program (GRIP). It is different from the broader Texas Gas Service rate case already under appeal by the City.
https://www.ktsm.com/news/el-paso-city-council-votes-to-deny-interim-rate-hike-from-texas-gas-in-continuing-fight/
KFOX: El Paso City Council denies Texas Gas rate hike, pauses new rates for 45 days
March 30 — Texas Gas Service had sought an additional $3.58 per month under the state program called GRIP, which allows companies to fast-track rate hikes to pay for infrastructure without a full review by the city.
https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/el-paso-city-council-denies-texas-gas-rate-hike-pauses-new-rates-for-45-days
Simply Wall Street: Atmos Energy Lawsuit Puts Pipeline Safety And Earnings Outlook Under Scrutiny
March 28 — As this lawsuit progresses, investors may focus on potential operational changes, regulatory responses, and any shifts in Atmos Energy’s risk management disclosures. The case could also influence how market participants think about safety practices across other gas utilities, especially where aging infrastructure and dense residential areas intersect.
https://simplywall.st/stocks/us/utilities/nyse-ato/atmos-energy/news/atmos-energy-lawsuit-puts-pipeline-safety-and-earnings-outlo/amp
NBC DFW: Lake Dallas plans specially called city meeting after home explosion and fire
March 27 — Lake Dallas neighbors say they hope a specially called city meeting provides more answers after a home explosion and fire there last week.
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/lake-dallas-special-meeting-after-home-explosion-fire/4002525/
TELECOM AND BROADBAND NEWS
Broadband Breakfast: Consultants Urge BEAD ‘Rainy Day’ Fund To Cover Gaps
April 6 — Broadband consultants are urging federal officials to reserve billions from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program to address funding gaps and rising deployment costs.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/consultants-urge-bead-rainy-day-fund-to-cover-gaps/
Broadband Breakfast: FCC Rejects Rip-And-Replace Extension Requests
April 6 — The agency rejected petitions from Waxahachie Independent School District and WorldCell Solutions, which sought additional time to complete removal, replacement, and disposal of covered network equipment.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/fcc-rejects-rip-and-replace-extension-requests/
Benton Institute: When defines where: how rural digital divide, customers’ mobility and usage patterns have shaped mobile infrastructures
April 5 — Expanding and upgrading communication networks in rural areas is particularly challenging due to high investment costs and limited prospects for cost recovery. In this context, researchers and policymakers widely view mobile infrastructures as the most viable solution, given their flexibility and lower deployment costs.
https://www.benton.org/headlines/when-defines-where-how-rural-digital-divide-customers%E2%80%99-mobility-and-usage-patterns-have
Broadband Breakfast: SpaceX, Amazon Clash on Satellite Collision Risks
April 3 — SpaceX told the Federal Communications Commission in a Wednesday letter that Amazon was launching its satellites to altitudes above the 400 kilometers the agency had permitted, creating the risk of a collision with SpaceX’s massive 10,000 satellite constellation.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/spacex-amazon-clash-on-satellite-collision-risks/
My Paris Texas: Hands-on telehealth helps reach rural Texas communities
April 3 — A shipping container in Fort Davis is at the center of a new experiment in bringing telehealth to an aging rural population.
https://myparistexas.com/hands-on-telehealth-helps-reach-rural-texas-communities/
Tech Dirt: The Trump Administration Is Trying To Steal $21 BIllion Earmarked For Better Broadband
April 3 — Money given to Bezos and Musk is money not spent on better, faster, local fiber optics (especially popular community owned networks). A serious broadband policy would ensure that open access fiber is the priority, followed by wireless, with satellite filling the gaps. Satellite was never intended to be the primary delivery mechanism for broadband, because of obvious congestion and capacity constraints.
https://www.techdirt.com/2026/04/03/the-trump-administration-is-trying-to-steal-21-billion-earmarked-for-better-broadband/
Broadband Breakfast: About 12.7 Million Seniors Lack Broadband Subscription, 7.2 Million Lack Computer or Tablet
April 3 — Hari Narayanan, a data scientist who maintains the BroadbandClusters internet adoption database, wrote that the counts were independent of each other, meaning a senior could be paying for broadband but lack something larger than a phone, or own a device but not pay for internet service.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/researcher-about-12-7-million-seniors-lack-broadband-subscription-7-2-million-lack-computer-or-tablet/
Rural Broadband Association: Partly Cloudy With Increasing Sunshine by Broadband
April 2 — Knowledge-based jobs are jobs that require post-secondary education and specialized training. These tend to cluster in urban areas, where educational attainment rates are on average higher than rural spaces. There is also the phenomenon of rural youth who go to college and don’t return home. But many knowledge-based jobs can be worked anywhere, and many knowledge-based firms can find homes in rural spaces and “work outward” from there. And the so-called “brain drain” may reflect expedience more than deeply held inclination.
https://www.ntca.org/newsroom/blog/partly-cloudy-increasing-sunshine-broadband
Digital Lift: From Last Mile to Final Inch: Why Infrastructure Alone Doesn’t Close the Digital Divide
April 2 — County leaders across the country are investing historic dollars into broadband infrastructure. We talk about first mile, middle mile, and last mile. We map fiber routes. We track deployment. We measure speeds. And all of that matters, but there’s a quiet truth underneath the infrastructure conversation – the last mile does not reach a person. If we are serious about digital equity, we have to go one step further.
https://digitallift.org/from-last-mile-to-final-inch-why-infrastructure-alone-doesnt-close-the-digital-divide/
Broadband Communities: Tarana says Starlink’s BEAD antics “pulled the rug out” from NTIA
April 2 — Next-generation FWA technology creator Tarana says Starlink has pulled the rug out from under the NTIA and state broadband offices.
https://bbcmag.com/tarana-says-starlinks-bead-antics-pulled-the-rug-out-from-ntia/
Fierce Network: Telcos are becoming AI utility infrastructure – and that’s not a bad thing
April 1 — Rather than chasing AI baubles, AvidThink Founder and Principal Analyst Roy Chua told Fierce, telcos should invest in modernizing their networks, making them more programmable and consumable, and reclaiming the ground they’ve lost in the long-haul, sub-sea and metro connectivity realm.
https://www.fierce-network.com/cloud/telcos-are-becoming-ai-utility-infrastructure-and-thats-not-bad-thing
Houston Public Media: $18.9M broadband expansion brings high-speed internet to rural Fort Bend County
April 1 — With the help of federal funding, county commissioners have partnered with internet provider Comcast to expand broadband infrastructure by the end of the year in Kendleton, Needville, Simonton and Thompsons.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/fort-bend/2026/04/01/547636/internet-fort-bend-county-comcast-rural-federal-funding/
Broadband Breakfast: Broadband Expansion Alone Won’t Close the Digital Divide, Panelists Warn
April 1 — Panelists cite skills gaps, security threats, and the need for more modern infrastructure.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/broadband-expansion-alone-wont-close-the-digital-divide-panelists-warn/
Light Reading: Starlink feared as emerging threat to broadband service providers
March 30 — ‘I think every fixed broadband operator should be very worried,’ says CableLabs’ Hans Geerdes. He calls satellite broadband ‘basically the second coming of fixed wireless, but at much better economics.’
https://www.lightreading.com/satellite/starlink-feared-as-emerging-threat-to-broadband-service-providers
Broadband Breakfast: New Bipartisan House Bills Take Aim at Strengthening Rural Broadband Access
March 30 — The four introduced bills look to expand broadband access, modernize utilities, and improve USDA programs.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/new-bipartisan-house-bills-take-aim-at-strengthening-rural-broadband-access/
Benton Institute: How the Trump Administration is Narrowing the Path to Lifeline, Part I: The One Big Beautiful Bill
March 30 — Legislation known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” signed into law July 4, 2025, is a sweeping tax-and-spending package that permanently extends and expands the temporary individual income and estate tax provisions enacted in the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017.
https://www.benton.org/blog/how-trump-administration-narrowing-path-lifeline-part-i-one-big-beautiful-bill
The Journalist’s Resource: The role of state broadband policy in 2026
March 30 — Tech journalists can use this explainer to understand what legislators are doing to improve broadband access and affordability in their states.
https://journalistsresource.org/politics-and-government/broadband-policy-2026/
Daily Yonder: Part 1: Hands-On Telehealth Helps Reach Rural Texas Communities
March 30 — Perched in the Davis Mountains of West Texas, Jeff Davis County faces steep barriers to care. Nearly one in five residents lacks reliable broadband. The only doctor in Fort Davis, the county seat, is semi-retired, and most people make the 30-minute drive to Alpine for care. With a median age of 58, among the highest in the country, the need for consistent medical care is growing, even as access, both in-person and virtually, remains a challenge.