SECURE Grid Act
Sen. Cortez Masto Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Protect Local Power Grids from Cyberattacks and Storms
This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process after being sent to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for review. It is actively moving forward, but no further hearings or votes have been scheduled yet. There is no companion bill listed at this time.
Legislative Progress
The bill has support from both parties and addresses a popular issue like grid security. However, it is still in the early stages and needs to pass through committees in both the Senate and House.
Key Points
- The bill requires states to update their energy security plans to cover the physical security, cybersecurity, and resilience of local power distribution systems, meaning the lines and equipment that deliver electricity directly to homes and businesses at 100 kilovolts or less.
From policy text
“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, and for other purposes.”
View in full text - States must now address a broader range of threats including physical attacks on local distribution systems, weather-related vulnerabilities, supply chain risks for electrical equipment, and cybersecurity threats that could affect the broader power grid.
From policy text
“address potential hazards to each energy sector or system, including-- ``(A) physical threats and vulnerabilities, including-- ``(i) weather-related threats and vulnerabilities; ``(ii) physical attacks on local distribution systems and the bulk-power system; and ``(iii) supply chain risks for equipment for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity; and ``(B) cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities, including threats to, and vulnerabilities of, local distribution systems that may impact the bulk-power system;”
View in full text - The Department of Energy changes from optionally providing technical assistance to states to being required to do so, shifting 'may' to 'shall' in the law. This means states can count on getting federal help to build and update their energy security plans.
- The GAO must report to Congress by September 30, 2030, on whether state energy security plans are actually working to protect energy infrastructure and improve states' ability to respond to and recover from disruptions.
From policy text
“Not later than September 30, 2030, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report on the efficacy of State energy security plans”
View in full text - The entire program has a built-in expiration date of September 30, 2031, meaning Congress would need to act again to keep these security requirements in place beyond that point.
From policy text
“``(i) Sunset.--This section shall expire on September 30, 2031.''.”
View in full text
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
3 articlesBipartisan Senate Bill Aims to Bolster Grid Cybersecurity
Bipartisan legislation introduced by Sens. Cortez Masto, Murkowski, and Shaheen aims to improve grid security by requiring states to include granular data on local distribution systems in their energy security plans to qualify for federal funds.
Panel to vote on 5 energy infrastructure security bills
The House Energy and Commerce subcommittee is set to vote on the SECURE Grid Act, led by Reps. Latta and Matsui, which would require states to address the physical and cybersecurity of local distribution systems in their state energy security plans.
5 Bills to Boost Energy Sector Cyber Defenses Clear House Panel
The House Subcommittee on Energy advanced the SECURE Grid Act (H.R. 7257), which updates and enhances programs for the physical and cyber security of energy infrastructure, aiming to build resilience in community-level upgrades and systems.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
SECURE Grid Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(2)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.