Congressman John R. Carter (TX-31) and Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02) introduced the Securing Energy Infrastructure Act of 2017, which establishes a pilot program to evaluate United States energy security vulnerabilities. As bipartisan co-chairmen of the House Army Caucus, Rep. Carter and Rep. Ruppersberger continue their shared commitment to national security through this important legislation.

Grid attacks are yet another tool in the cyber toolkit of bad actors, and this legislation leverages the unique assets of national laboratories to establish solutions to defend the U.S. energy grid from attacks and to ensure resiliency of operations during and after an event.

“Securing our country’s energy infrastructure is a national security priority.  Understanding where our system’s weak spots are will only enhance efforts to support robust efforts to ensure we have the most stable and secure energy networks in the world,” Congressman Carter said.

“The serious threats to our critical energy infrastructure continue to escalate in cyberspace at an alarming rate. We know our adversaries are exploiting vulnerabilities that exist at both large and small energy companies. In a world centered on technology, we must shore up systems that protect critical resources,” Congressman Ruppersberger said.

The legislation:

• Establishes a two-year pilot program to study covered entities and identify new classes of security vulnerabilities, and research and test technology – like analog devices – that could be used to isolate the most critical systems of covered entities from cyber-attacks

• Creates a working group to evaluate the technology solutions proposed and develop a national cyber-informed strategy to isolate the energy grid from attacks

• Requires the Secretary of Energy to submit a report to Congress describing the results of the program, assessing the feasibility of the techniques considered, and outlining the results of the working groups evaluations

• Is a companion bill to legislation by the same name introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Angus King (I-ME) and Senator James E. Risch (R-ID).

Rep. Carter represents Texas District 31, which includes Fort Hood, the largest active duty armored military installation in the free world. He serves as Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations, co-chairman of the Congressional Army Caucus, is on the Subcommittee for Commerce, Justice and Science and the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.

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