Through the California Public Utilities Commission, PSREC and Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications have received nearly $67 million across 11 grants to bring high-speed broadband internet to areas in Plumas, Sierra, Lassen, and Nevada counties.
In 2021, Congress passed a bipartisan infrastructure law that created the Last Mile Federal Funding Account grant program, which provides grant money to expand high-speed internet access in rural communities across the United States. California received more than $2 billion through the California Public Utilities Commission to help achieve its goal of delivering fast and reliable fiber optic internet to all residents in the state.
Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative, along with its subsidiary, Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications, took action and applied for grants. In total, PST received nearly $67 million across 11 grants to bring high-speed broadband internet to areas in Plumas, Sierra, Lassen, and Nevada counties.
Serving the Underserved
The grants are bringing broadband to some of PST’s hardest-to-reach areas. These grants will provide high-speed fiber optic internet to more than 6,600 community members.
Since last fall, PST has been hard at work constructing the interconnected network and converting all coaxial lines in Plumas County to fiber optic. These grants will be implemented over a multiyear timeframe.
PST CEO Bob Marshall says the co-op is focused on filling broadband gaps in its service territory, including parts of central and eastern Plumas, southern and central Lassen, and Eastern Sierra counties. This includes all member-owners and most of the nearby communities.
“This significant investment will enable PST to bring high-speed internet to hundreds of homes, businesses, and community institutions that have been historically underserved by reliable broadband services,” Bob says.
These projects benefit PST and PSREC. The installation of fiber optic along PSREC lines increases the footprint of the utility’s supervisory control and data acquisition system.
PST thanks the California Public Utilities Commission and its staff for helping secure grant funds.
Grant Area Updates
All construction project timelines are weather-permitting and subject to change.
Portola/Delleker/Whitehawk
- The Delleker area is now open for installations.
- Whitehawk construction has been completed. Call to get on the schedule for installation or a coax-to-fiber conversion.
- Most of the Portola area is complete. Call to get on the schedule for installation or a coax-to-fiber conversion.
Plumas Pines/Graeagle Meadows
- This area is open for sales and conversions where service is available.
Quincy Coax Conversion
- Most of East Quincy south of Highway 70 is complete and open for sales. Crews are working on the north side of the highway in east Quincy.
LaPorte Road/Greenhorn Ranch
Construction starts in early 2026, with estimated fiber availability at the end of 2026.
Ironhorse
- The construction timeline for this area has yet to be determined, but PST will provide updates later this year.
Valley Ranch
- Contractors will begin the construction phase of this project starting in October, with fiber availability estimated for the summer of 2026.
Mohawk Vista
- Construction will begin in December. The timeline for fiber availability has yet to be determined.
C-Road
- Construction will begin in December. The timeline for fiber availability has yet to be determined.
Loyalton Pines/Sierra Brooks
- Construction in this area is ongoing. Previous estimations had indicated customer installation by fall 2025. Due to construction delays, PST now anticipates installations will begin in spring 2026.
Calpine/Yuba Gap
- Contractors are working in the area and changing out utility poles. Underground construction is scheduled to begin in November, with fiber availability expected by the end of 2026.
Janesville/Milford
- Crews and contractors are replacing utility poles. Fiber construction will begin in October, with fiber availability estimated in summer 2026.
Doyle/Herlong
- Crews and contractors are working in the area, replacing utility poles. Fiber availability is estimated for midfall 2026.
Truckee
- This area is still in the permitting and environmental review process.
