Findlay Times

Today, Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH5) and Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA7) introduced the Securing Community Upgrades for a Resilient Grid Act, or SECURE Grid Act. The legislation aims to empower states to comprehensively assess risks posed to the electric grid by weather, physical and cyber-attacks, and other vulnerabilities.

Latta, a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and co-chair of the Grid Innovation Caucus, emphasized the importance of grid security. "The security and resiliency of our electric grid cannot be overstated," Latta stated. "With increased physical attacks on substations and the threat of cyber-attacks from foreign adversaries that could shut down our power and endanger the American people, we must ensure our electric grid is fortified. That's why I'm introducing the SECURE Grid Act, which ensures that states take an in-depth look at vulnerabilities and risks posed to the electric grid so that proper steps can be taken to mitigate them. Together, Rep. Matsui and I are committed to ensuring the American people can rely on a strong and resilient grid so they never have to worry about keeping the lights on."

Matsui echoed these sentiments, highlighting specific concerns in California. “Protecting our country’s electric grid has always been one of my top priorities,” she said. “In California, power lines can spark devastating wildfires, and the reliability of our electric grid is also increasingly threatened by unprecedented extreme weather, from atmospheric rivers to heatwaves. The SECURE Grid Act would help keep the lights on by ensuring that states identify and protect against a wide range of potential vulnerabilities and threats to the grid, including severe weather, physical attacks, cyberattacks, and other vulnerabilities. I am proud to work with Congressman Latta to modernize our electric grid and keep Americans safe from bad actors and natural disasters.”

Background information on the SECURE Grid Act indicates that states must submit a State Energy Security Plan (SESP) annually to receive funds from the State Energy Program. These funds are used by State Energy Offices for implementing energy security plans, investing in domestic energy resources, reducing energy waste, piloting innovative energy projects among other initiatives.

While SESPs currently consider broad vulnerabilities like physical and cyber-attacks, the SECURE Grid Act adds detailed data requirements for these reports. States will now need to evaluate:

- Threats posed to local distribution facilities such as distribution substations;

- Risks associated with increasing grid demand;

- Available technologies for mitigating threats;

- Distinctions between weather-related threats versus those from physical violence;

- Utility of public-private partnerships in meeting energy security needs;

- Availability of innovative financing models that may save taxpayer dollars while increasing access to digital grid technology;

- Role of vendors in maintaining secure energy distribution systems.