Memphis Standard

U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Commerce Committee Ranking Member, issued statements following the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) announcement to pause permitting restrictions on commercial submarine cables in national marine sanctuaries. The change was urged by Senators Blackburn and Cruz in a letter sent earlier this year.

“Undersea cables are vital components of our telecommunications and data infrastructure,” said Senator Blackburn. “NOAA’s decision to pause its efforts to make it more difficult to operate and maintain these important undersea cables is a major victory in the fight to encourage technological innovation and prioritize American interests.”

“Impeding the laying, maintaining, and repairing of undersea cables undermines both the commercial and national security operations relying on this critical communications infrastructure,” said Senator Cruz. “I am glad that NOAA now recognizes that America’s undersea cable network does not harm national marine sanctuaries, and redundant environmental regulations are unnecessary for protecting marine ecosystems. I am proud to have joined Senator Blackburn in this effort to prioritize American interests and technological innovation.”

NOAA is reviewing the nomination of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary as part of the National Marine Sanctuary System, which currently encompasses more than 620,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters. Several undersea cables exist within this new proposed national marine sanctuary, all of which are environmentally benign with minimal impact on its area.

In recent years, NOAA has proposed regulations that would make it difficult to operate and maintain undersea cables, potentially putting communications at risk by forcing delays in maintenance and repair operations. In June, Senators Blackburn and Cruz sent a letter to NOAA emphasizing the importance of accommodating undersea cables as vital components of global telecommunications and data infrastructure.