Kathy Judge urges Congress to promote collaboration between TSA and gas companies
National Grid Director of Corporate Security and Risk and Compliance Kathy Judge testified on behalf of the American Gas Association (AGA) on Tuesday, urging the House Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security to increase collaborative efforts.
“The most important thing natural gas utilities do is deliver energy to our customers safely and securely,” Judge said. “The partnership that our industry has with the pipeline security professionals at TSA is pivotal. We share the same objective of protecting critical infrastructure. We urge the committee to bolster the Transit Security Administration (TSA) pipeline security program and support inter-agency collaboration with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration in instances where pipeline security and pipeline safety overlap.”
The statement was in reference to the TSA’s Pipeline Section of the Office of Security Policy and Industry Engagement, which Judge said plays an important role in enabling gas companies to keep customers and companies safe. The collaboration would allow natural gas companies and federal defense agencies to work together on national defense by better understanding, and preparing for, any potential threats to energy systems throughout the country.
AGA members have initiated countless security programs, including the development of the Downstream Natural Gas Information Sharing and Analysis Center – an AGA initiative that allows partners to share information regarding potential threats and security management.
