The House on Tuesday unanimously passed four bills aimed at securing the power grid and other energy infrastructure against cyberattacks.
All four of the bipartisan bills were approved by voice vote, and supported by the leaders of the House Energy and Commerce and House Science, Space, and Technology panels.
The Cyber Sense Act, primarily sponsored by Reps. Bob Latta (R-Ohio) and Jerry McNerney
Gerlad (Jerry) Mark McNerneyTrump administration signs AI research and development agreement with the UK Hillicon Valley: FBI chief says Russia is trying to interfere in election to undermine Biden | Treasury Dept. sanctions Iranian government-backed hackers Lawmakers call for expanded AI role in education, business to remain competitive MORE (D-Calif.), would require the secretary of Energy to establish a program to test the cybersecurity of products intended to be used in the bulk power system.
Latta and McNerney are the primary sponsors of a second piece of legislation passed Tuesday, the Enhancing Grid Security Through Public-Private Partnerships Act, which would require the Department of Energy to establish a program to enhance the cyber and physical security of electric utilities, along with issuing a report on ways to enhance security to address threats.
A third bill approved, the Energy Emergency Leadership Act, would enhance leadership at the Department of Energy on cybersecurity missions to protect the nation’s energy infrastructure. Reps. Bobby Rush
Bobby Lee RushCongress should investigate OAS actions in Bolivia Rep. Bobby Rush introduces legislation focused on addressing racism, lack of diversity in the federal government House Democrat introduces bill to replace Confederate monuments nationwide MORE (D-Ill.) and Tim Walberg
Timothy (Tim) Lee WalbergThe health care crisis no one is talking about Overnight Defense: Pentagon policy chief resigns at Trump’s request | Trump wishes official ‘well in his future endeavors’ | Armed Services chair warns against Africa drawdown after trip GOP chairman after Africa trip: US military drawdown would have ‘real and lasting negative consequences’ MORE (R-Mich.) are the main sponsors.
“This legislation and the two bills that will follow it are bipartisan bills that will help protect our grid from cyberattacks,” House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) said on the House floor Tuesday while speaking in favor of the Energy Emergency Leadership Act.
Committee ranking member Greg Walden
Gregory (Greg) Paul WaldenPoll finds support for independent arbiters resolving ‘surprise’ medical bills OVERNIGHT ENERGY: House passes sweeping clean energy bill | Pebble Mine CEO resigns over secretly recorded comments about government officials | Corporations roll out climate goals amid growing pressure to deliver House passes sweeping clean energy bill MORE (R-Ore.), along with energy subcommittee ranking member Fred Upton
Frederick (Fred) Stephen UptonOn Paycheck Protection Program, streamlined forgiveness is key Hispanic Caucus campaign arm endorses slate of non-Hispanic candidates Progressives soaring after big primary night MORE (R-Mich.), both applauded the passage of the bills.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of stopping supply chain threats, including ensuring the security of our electric grid,” Walden and Upton said in a joint statement. “From electricity to WiFi, a secure, reliable grid is vital to all Americans. We thank our House colleagues for supporting three bipartisan bills that will bolster our energy security and keep our grid safe from cyberattacks, and we urge our Senate colleagues to take swift action to keep our electric grid safe and running.”
While there was general bipartisan support for the bills, House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson
Bennie Gordon ThompsonUnderwood takes over as chair of House cybersecurity panel House panel pans ICE detention medical care, oversight Senate to hold nomination hearing for Wolf next week MORE (D-Miss.) raised concerns on the House floor Tuesday that the three measures would undermine the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) leadership position on federal cybersecurity issues.
“The problem common to the three measures today is that in their current forms, they risk siloing cybersecurity efforts when it comes to protecting the energy sector, as none of them acknowledges DHS as the coordinating partner to DOE for cybersecurity,” Thompson said. “As a reminder, this is the same infrastructure that has been under sustained, sophisticated attacks by foreign adversaries, some of which have been successful.
“While cyberattacks against the energy sector have accelerated, the sector does not exist in a vacuum,” he added.
Pallone was quick to assert that Energy Department officials have pledged to coordinate with DHS officials on cybersecurity issues, and that the bills would not take away any cybersecurity authority from DHS.
“Nothing in these bills actually affects in any way, shape or form the existing authorities or prerogatives of the Department of Homeland Security or its secretary in any way, any interpretation to the contrary is simply incorrect,” Pallone said.
A fourth bill, the Grid Security Research and Development Act sponsored by Reps. Ami Bera
Amerish (Ami) Babulal BeraThe Hill’s Coronavirus Report: iBIO Chairman and CEO Thomas Isett says developing a safe vaccine is paramount; US surpasses 150,000 coronavirus deaths with roughy one death per minute Democrats fear US already lost COVID-19 battle Karen Bass’s star rises after leading police reform push MORE (D-Calif.) and Randy Weber
Randall (Randy) Keith WeberOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Cheney asks DOJ to probe environmental groups | Kudlow: ‘No sector worse hurt than energy’ during pandemic | Trump pledges ‘no politics’ in Pebble Mine review Cheney asks DOJ to probe environmental groups GOP’s Gohmert introduces resolution that would ban the Democratic Party MORE (R-Texas), was also unanimously passed by the House on Tuesday.
The legislation, approved by the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee earlier this year, would strengthen the ability of the energy sector to respond to cyber and physical threats, such as wildfires.
“As the grid and other forms of critical infrastructure become more digitized, the risk that cyberattacks will shutdown federal systems has increased and in some cases these attacks can even cause physical damage to the grid,” Bera said on the House floor Tuesday while advocating passage of the bill.
All four bills now move to the Senate for consideration.
The measures were approved as cyber targeting of the grid becomes an issue of increasing concern.
Last year, a successful denial of service cyberattack on a Western utility caused a grid disruption, while officials warned the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee last month that the COVID-19 pandemic had exposed critical infrastructure to greater cyber risks.
