Trump administration changes derail Nevada’s $416 million rural internet program

The Trump administration announced new guidelines on June 6 for a national internet program that scuttles $416 million already approved for Nevada.

As part of the Biden administration’s infrastructure act, $42.5 billion had been allocated for the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment program to expand high-speed internet in rural areas.

Nevada, one of the few states to jump through the hoops to qualify, had hoped to break ground in summer 2025. But in April, the U.S. Commerce Department put the program under a 90-day review. That review is now over.

“Today we proudly announce a new direction for the BEAD program that will deliver high-speed internet access efficiently on a technology-neutral basis, and at the right price,” said Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in a statement.

The marquee changes are removing diversity requirements in hiring and eliminating “extraneous and burdensome obligations to conduct climate analyses,” according to a factsheet released by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, part of the Commerce Department that oversees internet projects.

Now, Nevada must reapply for the BEAD funds. States were given 90 days to comply with the new guidelines.

In response, Sen. Jacky Rosen, a Nevada Democrat, vowed to put a hold on all nominations for Commerce Department positions related to broadband policy until Nevada gets its BEAD funding.

“I’m beyond outraged that the Trump administration has moved the goal post yet again and rescinded Nevada’s approval to get the BEAD funding I secured to connect the hardest-to-reach communities in our state to high-speed internet,” she said in a statement.

“This decision will put Nevada’s broadband funding in jeopardy, and it’s a slap in the face to rural communities that need access to high-speed internet.”

The broadband team with the Nevada Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology told the Reno Gazette Journal it was still digesting the news.

“Our office is still reviewing the updated guidance from NTIA and does not have further comment at this time,” a spokesperson said.

Mark Robison is the state politics reporter for the Reno Gazette Journal, with occasional forays into other topics. Email comments to mrobison@rgj.com or comment on Mark’s Greater Reno Facebook page.