Bill that incentivizes improved cybersecurity for utilities introduced in Senate
A group of U.S. Senators introduced legislation that incentivizes electric utilities to make cybersecurity investments to protect the grid.
The Protecting Resources On The Electric grid with Cybersecurity Technology (PROTECT) Act (S. 1400) would direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue a rulemaking on rate incentives for advanced cybersecurity technology. This, in turn, will enable and incentivize utilities to invest in new technologies that improve their cybersecurity defenses.
It would also establish a Department of Energy (DOE) grant and technical assistance program to deploy advanced cybersecurity technology for utilities that are not regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This would include cooperatives and municipal utilities, as well as small investor-owned utilities that sell less than four million megawatt-hours of electricity per year.
“The threat of cyberattacks by foreign adversaries and other sophisticated entities is real and growing, and COVID-19 has not helped reduce the threat of cyberattacks on America’s networks, including our energy infrastructure. In Alaska, where energy prices are already amongst the nation’s highest, the cost for small co-ops to properly secure their cybersecurity needs is continuing to rise. The federal government and industry have a shared responsibility to enhance the cybersecurity posture of electric utilities, municipal utilities, and electric utility systems owned by electric cooperatives to protect our electric grid from cyberthreats,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski, one of the bill’s sponsors, said.
The bill was also sponsored by Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV), James Risch (R-ID), Angus King (I-ME), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).
