Lawmakers seek information on pipeline cybersecurity measures, threat assessments

To assess cybersecurity measures protecting the nation’s pipeline infrastructure, leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee sought information Wednesday about how efforts are being coordinated among multiple federal agencies.

The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act of 2015 designates the Department of Energy (DoE) as the lead agency for energy sector cybersecurity measures. U.S. Reps. Greg Walden (R-OR), chairman of the committee, and Fred Upton (R-MI), chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, requested information on the latest federal threat assessments in a letter to Energy Secretary Rick Perry.

The lawmakers noted that DoE has to coordinate with the Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Security Administration, the Department of Transportation, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and state agencies to “account for each interrelated segment of the nation’s energy infrastructure.”

Walden and Upton requested information on collaboration with pipeline operators, memoranda of understanding between DoE and other agencies to ensure “full and adequate coverage of pipeline systems,” federal resources dedicated to pipeline cybersecurity, the scope of audits and assessments, and specific DoE activities and programs regarding pipeline cybersecurity.

The lawmakers requested a response no later than Feb. 12.