The Oklahoma Broadband Office indicates it will not see a negative impact with the U.S. Commerce Department decision last week to terminate the $1.44 billion Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program.
“There will be no negative impact on projects administered by the office. We received notification about a week ago,” stated Tim Allen, Communications Director at the state broadband office. He explained Oklahoma had received $11.2 million through the Capacity Grant Program before its cancellation.
The cancellation came after President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the Digital Equity Act (DEA), which the DECPG falls under, was unconstitutional, illegal and a “woke” handout.
“Under my leadership, the Commerce Department has launched a rigorous review of the BEAD program. The Department is ripping out the Biden Administration’s pointless requirements. It is revamping the BEAD program to take a tech-neutral approach that is rigorously driven by outcomes, so states can provide internet access for the lowest cost. Additionally, the Department is exploring ways to cut government red tape that slows down infrastructure construction. We will work with states and territories to quickly get rid of the delays and the waste.”
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick agreed, stating the program used impermissible and unconstitutional racial preferences.