SECURE Grid Act

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Kentucky, the chair of the full committee, for recognizing me today.

I rise in support of H.R. 7257, the SECURE Grid Act, which I sponsored with the gentlewoman from California's Seventh Congressional District.

State energy security plans, or SESPs, provide States with an opportunity to identify threats and vulnerabilities in their respective energy networks. This collaborative process ensures that States can stay on the cutting edge of an evolving threat landscape.

While the initial exercise of SESPs has meaningfully assisted States in managing their energy systems, there is room for improvement to enhance visibility and threat detection and to holistically consider disparate vulnerabilities across the sector.

The SECURE Grid Act achieves this goal by ensuring States incorporate security and resilience of distribution networks. Distribution networks bring wholesale power directly to homes and businesses to keep the lights on and keep our businesses up and running. Any threat to the distribution system is a threat to our communities.

Importantly, the legislation also brings industry experts to the table during the development of SESPs to ensure State governments are equipped with the resources and operational understanding of the complex infrastructure.

In addition, the bill affirms the important leadership role of State governments to protect their energy systems while fostering collaborative partnerships with Federal counterparts.

Given the States' authority and understanding of their own unique energy needs, it is imperative that they are empowered to develop their own plans while working collaboratively with Federal partners.

This legislation comes at a timely moment in our Nation's history. Throughout the 119th Congress, the Energy Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee has held several hearings with experts and administration officials to examine the state of our Nation's energy systems.

Each day, it becomes ever more apparent that our reliance on energy is growing because of AI advancements, reshoring of manufacturing facilities, and general economy-wide electrification.

Families across the country can be burdened by high energy costs, and we know that there is nothing more expensive than a blackout.

We also know that adversarial nations and nefarious actors are actively seeking out any vulnerability in our interconnected energy infrastructure to sow chaos and cause harm to everyday Americans.

To combat these efforts, the legislation requires proactive information sharing, constant vigilance, and clear visibility into the widening threat landscape. The SECURE Grid Act ensures that State energy offices and their respective Governors are able to put processes in place to detect, mitigate, and respond to potential attacks targeting critical infrastructure.

The everyday lives of families and businesses are wholly reliant on a secure, reliable, and affordable energy system.

Mr. Speaker, for the reasons stated, it is important that the House pass H.R. 7257, the SECURE Grid Act.

Again, I thank the gentlewoman from California's Seventh District for her help on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7257) to amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require States to include supporting the physical security, cybersecurity, and resilience of local distribution systems in State energy security plans, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 7257.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7257, the SECURE Grid Act, sponsored by my colleague and Energy Subcommittee chairman from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District, Mr. Latta.

State energy security plans are an important tool for States to consider the vulnerabilities in their energy systems. The interconnected nature of our energy system requires constant information sharing and cohesive planning to assess, identify, and address potential threats.

During this historic period of exponential demand growth caused by next-generation industries, we need to be even more vigilant against adversaries that seek to undermine U.S. competitiveness.

The SECURE Grid Act is a timely bill that would enhance a State's ability to manage the security of their energy systems. H.R. 7257 will improve visibility into an evolving threat landscape while ensuring that experts in the energy field can help provide critical insights into complex engineering operations.

As technology improvements have the potential to positively transform our economy, these tools can also be used and exploited by bad actors. This bill will ensure that States remain on the cutting edge of innovation and security.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta), chairman of the Energy Subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I agree that this is a very important bill. We have an interconnected grid, and we have to make sure that all States are ensuring that it is secure.

I appreciate my friend from Ohio for bringing this before his subcommittee and the full committee, and I appreciate his efforts.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 7257, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7257, the SECURE Grid Act, is a bipartisan bill that renews and enhances a State's ability to consider cyber and physical security protections to their energy systems, and it promotes collaboration between partners as they develop State energy security plans.

These State plans are a part of DOE's State Energy Program, which provides financial and technical assistance to help States with energy planning. It was reauthorized and updated in the bipartisan infrastructure law in 2021. As part of that reauthorization, plans must include energy emergency planning to secure the United States against physical and cyber threats.

The State energy security plans are an important tool that ensures States are prepared for the worst. The planning process brings together stakeholders and enables a level of coordination across Federal and State actors. This bill helps enhance the parts of those plans that guard against physical and cyber threats by ensuring that they encompass more of our energy system, local power lines, as well as facilities critical to ensuring the supply chain of energy infrastructure-related components.

Finally, the bill also bolsters a State's ability to obtain assistance from the Department of Energy, something I hope they will take advantage of as they regularly update their energy security plans.

This bill also ensures that the Government Accountability Office will review how DOE and the States execute these programs, to ensure that Congress has the best information possible the next time the provision needs to be renewed.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I just want to say briefly that I think this is an important bill, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.