State lawmakers supported a bill Tuesday that would create a $72 million high-speed Internet network in West Virginia, but they're questioning whether there's a viable plan to carry out the project.
"The concept of what we're doing has huge merit, but as a legislator, I need to be able to go home and tell my constituents what is the start date and what is the finishing date," said Sen. Art Kirkendoll, D-Logan.
The Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced the bill on a voice vote Tuesday.
The legislation would authorize the state to build a 2,500-mile fiber-optic loop that aims to improve Internet service and drive down prices for residential and business customers. West Virginia ranks 47th in the nation for the percentage of people who have access to reliable broadband service.
"We know what the bill will do, but the question is: Can we get the revenue?" said Sen. Chris Walters, R-Putnam, the legislation's lead sponsor. "Right now, we just don't have the money in the general revenue fund to put into it."
The legislation authorizes the state Water Development Authority to issue bonds to pay for the broadband project, provided that enough Internet providers sign up to use the network and pay off the debt.
Sen. Bob Plymale, D-Wayne, wondered why the bill taps a state water agency to oversee a high-speed Internet project.
"What do they know about broadband?" Plymale asked during Tuesday's committee meeting at the state Capitol.
Walters said the Water Development Authority, which typically funds water projects, is one of the few state agencies authorized to issue bonds. The water agency also has a sophisticated mapping software program that could track fiber construction, he said.
The legislation directs the state Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Resources to seek federal grants to help pay for the project.
"I'm in favor of this, but we have to be careful about directives," Plymale said.
Walters said he expects grant money to roll in for the project after his bill passes.
"I'd be surprised if we even need a bond," he said.
Legislators also expect the West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council to play a role in the project. Last year, the Legislature passed a bill to create the council, but Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has yet to appoint any board members.
Walters said it would take three or four years to build the fiber network.
All of West Virginia's largest Internet providers, including Frontier Communications and Suddenlink, oppose building a state-funded Internet network. The companies say they have no use for the "middle-mile" network and wouldn't pay to connect to it. The firms add that they've already built similar fiber networks.
The legislation next moves to the Senate Government Organization Committee. Walters expects his Senate colleagues will raise additional questions.
"That constructive criticism is what we need in the legislative process," Walters said. "Any ideas we can get to move this thing forward will absolutely be considered."
Reach Eric Eyre at ericeyre@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-4869 or follow @ericeyre on Twitter.