This week, Colorado Senators Michael Bennet (D) and Cory Gardner (R), both members of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, demonstrated their strong, bilateral support for legislation they jointly sponsored, intended to increase protection of the nation’s energy grid against cyberattacks. The two, entwined bills have just been passed out of committee, increasing the likelihood that the bills will reach the full Senate floor.
The senators say the bills, known as “Enhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act” and the “Enhancing Grid Security through Public-Private Partnerships Act,” represent a significant step towards protecting our country’s energy grid from cyberattacks.
“Today, we moved one step closer to protecting our country’s energy grid from a crippling cyberattack,” said Bennet. “When it comes to securing America’s infrastructure – from our hospitals and banks to gas stations and water treatment facilities – there is no room for politics. We’ll continue to work with Senator Gardner to send these two bills to the president’s desk.”
“Colorado and states across the country need to secure our energy grids and be better prepared against cyberattacks that threaten our critical infrastructure,” said Gardner. “I’ve worked with Senator Bennet on these bipartisan pieces of legislation because we both know the risk cyberattacks pose to our country and the need for leadership on these issues. I’m proud to have voted to advance this legislation to help shore up our electric grid’s vulnerabilities [moving it] out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today. I look forward to working with my colleagues to gather more bipartisan support and see these bills signed into law.”
Bennet and Gardner introduced the Enhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act and the Enhancing Grid Security through Public-Private Partnerships Act in July, both of which were then referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
The two bills protect different aspects of energy infrastructure.
Enhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act
This bill authorizes the Department of Energy (DOE) to provide financial assistance to states to develop or revise a State Energy Security Plan. The bill outlines the contents of a State Security Plan, including the need for coordination and joint exercises with industry and federal stakeholders. It authorizes DOE $90 million annually for Fiscal Years 2021 – 2025 to offer financial and technical assistance to states, including funds for developing and revising their plans.
Gardner and Bennet stress that states which have a State Energy Security Plan can assess and secure the energy infrastructure of the state against all physical and cybersecurity threats, mitigate the risk of energy supply disruptions, and ensure the state’s reliable, secure and resilient energy infrastructure.
Earlier this month, a version of the Enhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives.
Enhancing Grid Security through Public-Private Partnerships Act
This legislation would create a new program at the Department of Energy (DOE) to provide physical and cybersecurity assistance to electric utilities where the Secretary has substantial concerns, and where electric utilities have fewer available resources due to size or region. Support from DOE would include providing tools for self-assessment, assisting with threat assessment and training, and increasing the sharing of best practices and data collection.
The bill also requires DOE to submit a report to Congress within one year that identifies priorities for addressing physical and cybersecurity vulnerabilities in electricity distribution systems, the cost and benefits of fixing those vulnerabilities, and opportunities for the public and private sector to collaborate on financing and funding.
The senators point out that the bills are supported by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Ampex, National Cybersecurity Center, the Cyber Institute, Protect Our Power and the National Association of State Energy Officials.
Digital Security Conference
The timing of the senator’s success in moving the bills out of committee toward the Senate floor meshes with the Truth Has A Voice Digital Security Conference being presented by Ark Valley Voice at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Pavilion. Slated for Oct. 23-24, it focuses on cybersecurity and features national security expert Adam Silverman, The Wednesday evening event will feature a panel of infrastructure and data-driven business categories facing cyber threats.Their Pplicy staff say they plan to attend the conference.
For more information and to register online go to:
To register online for the Oct 23 & 24 Reception, Conference & Evening www.arkvalleyvoice.com/Truthhasavoice
To register online for Oct 23 Reception ONLY: www.arkvalleyvoice.com/Reception
OR … Print the appropriate registration form and deliver with payment as follows: Attention Sandy, Ark Valley Voice 101 F St. Salida, Colorado 80201
The conference is presented by Ark Valley Voice, with supporting sponsors High Country Bank, Sangre de Cristo Electric, Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center and Colorado Central Telecom.
Recent Comments