The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday gave voice vote approval to a bipartisan bill led by U.S. Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) that would extend through fiscal year 2031 and modify requirements for a State Energy Security Plan (SESP), a governor-approved document required annually by states to receive specific U.S. Department of Energy funding.
The House-passed Security Community Upgrades for a Resilient (SECURE) Grid Act, H.R. 7257, which Rep. Latta sponsored on Jan. 27 alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA), now advances to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
“America’s electric grid must be secure and resilient to ensure families and businesses have reliable access to affordable energy. From extreme weather to physical and cyber threats posed by our adversaries, protecting our nation’s energy infrastructure is a matter of national security,” said Rep. Latta, co-chair of the Grid Innovation Caucus. “I thank Rep. Matsui for her partnership in advancing this bipartisan legislation through the House.
“Together, we are taking an important step to strengthen the resilience of our electric grid, helping Ohioans and Americans across the country access reliable, affordable energy and ensuring they can count on keeping the lights on,” Rep. Latta added.
A state’s SESP allows it to recognize, respond to, and mitigate weaknesses in its energy infrastructure. While SESPs are currently required to consider broad vulnerabilities, including physical and cyber-attacks, H.R. 7257 would add necessary detailed data to the reports, according to the congressman.
For instance, states would be required to consider threats posed to local distribution facilities and supporting grid infrastructure; the risks posed by increasing grid demand; available technologies to mitigate threats to energy distribution and rising grid demand; the distinctions between weather-related threats and threats from a physical act of violence; and the utility of public-private partnerships in meeting energy security needs.
House “passage of the bipartisan SECURE Grid Act is a major step toward building a stronger, more reliable power grid that prevents blackouts, protects communities from extreme weather, and keeps electricity affordable,” Rep. Matsui said. “This bill takes a smarter approach by planning ahead, strengthening our energy infrastructure before problems occur, and helping ensure families across America have affordable power for years to come.”