Congressmen John Carter (TX-31)  and C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02)  today re-introduced legislation to protect critical energy infrastructure from cyber-attacks. The “Securing Energy Infrastructure Act” aims to develop solutions to strengthen and defend the U.S. energy grid.

“Grid attacks are yet another tool in the cyber toolkit of bad actors,” Congressman Carter said. “Addressing the weaknesses of our energy infrastructure should be a top national security priority. This bipartisan legislation will help identify issues, and develop solutions that could one day prevent disastrous consequences from a cyber-attack. I want to thank my friend, Rep. Ruppersberger, for his collaboration on this issue, and I hope that leadership will bring this important bill to the floor soon.”

“A sophisticated cyber-attack could have disastrous consequences on the public health, safety, economic security and national security of all Americans,” Congressman Ruppersberger said. “The time to address the vulnerabilities we inherently create when we rely on complicated digital software systems for everyday basics like electricity and running water was yesterday. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this potentially life-saving bill.”

The bill:

• Creates a 2-year pilot program to work with the energy industry to simplify and isolate automated systems that could be vulnerable to cyber-attacks
• Calls for a national strategy to defend the most critical parts of the energy grid
• Requires the Secretary of Energy to report back to Congress

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