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Cutting Public Broadcasting Funding Threatens Emergency Communications in Maine
From children’s shows to NPR, public broadcasting has been a constant presence in many of our lives. But what most people don’t see is the critical role public broadcasting infrastructure plays in saving lives, especially in rural states like Maine.
As the director of Penobscot County’s Regional Communications Center, I can tell you that our ability to respond to emergencies depends on a robust, resilient communications network. We handle emergency calls for both Penobscot and Aroostook counties, covering vast rural areas where commercial infrastructure is either unreliable or nonexistent.
That’s where our partnership with the Maine Public Broadcasting Network (MPBN) comes in. MPBN’s towers are integral to our emergency communications system. Without them, many of our communities would be in a dangerous blind spot.
If Congress eliminates funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting — the financial backbone of MPBN — the impact on public safety will be immediate and severe. Losing access to MPBN towers would force us to rebuild critical infrastructure from scratch. Just a few towers would cost millions. When Penobscot County upgraded our system in 2020, it required a $6 million bond. Replacing even part of what MPBN provides could easily cost taxpayers millions more and delay lifesaving coverage for months or even years.
This isn’t a theoretical risk — it’s a real, measurable threat to public safety communications coverage in northern Maine.
Congress must understand: cutting funding to public broadcasting isn’t just a cultural or political decision. It’s a public safety decision. And in this case, the cost of those cuts could be lives.
Chris Lavoie
Director
Penobscot Regional Communications Center
Bangor
