Senate prepares for hearing on energy infrastructure security legislation
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Energy will hold a hearing next week to hear testimony on the Securing Energy Infrastructure Act of 2016.
The legislation, introduced by U.S. Sen. Angus King (I-ME), aims to guard against large-scale cyber attacks on essential U.S. energy infrastructure by introducing such measures as the substitution of computer-connected operating systems with analog and human-operated systems.
“National security officials and cyber experts have repeatedly warned us about the dangerous impact a cyber attack could have on major components of our national infrastructure, like our electric grid,” King said. “That’s why it’s critical that we move now to examine ways to strengthen our defenses and why I am pleased the Subcommittee on Energy has agreed to take up our legislation next week. I look forward to the hearing so that we can begin an all-important discussion about how we can bolster our energy infrastructure and better protect consumers and national security.”
The hearing will take place on July 12 following a request from the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s U.S. Sens. King, Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Jim Risch (R-ID).
