Bills targets energy cybergrid protection
Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced last week a pair of bills designed to protect the country’s energy grid from cyber-attacks.
The Enhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act and the Enhancing Grid Security through Public-Private Partnerships Act would help shore up the nation’s electric grid’s vulnerabilities.
“Colorado and states across the country need to secure our energy grids and be better prepared against cyberattacks that threaten our critical infrastructure,” Gardner said. “I’ve worked with Sen. Bennet on these bipartisan pieces of legislation because we both know the risk cyber-attacks pose to our country and the need for leadership on these issues. I look forward to working with my colleagues to gather more bipartisan support and see these bills signed into law.”
The Enhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act authorizes the Department of Energy (DOE) to provide financial assistance to states developing or revising a State Energy Security Plan. It also outlines the need for coordination and joint exercises with industry and federal stakeholders.
The Enhancing Grid Security through Public-Private Partnerships Act authorizes the 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.
“Increasing the resilience of our electric grid in both rural and urban America is critical to preventing a crippling cyberattack,” Bennett said. “We must protect the infrastructure that serves as the backbone for everything from hospitals and banks, to gas stations and water treatment facilities.”
