Cyber Sense Act of 2020

Floor Speech

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Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, for lawmakers to encourage and enable innovative advancements that can improve the security and reliability of our Nation's energy grid, we must work on a bipartisan basis, as the bills under consideration show.

Fortunately, the modernization and innovation of our Nation's energy infrastructure is already under way. What was once a one-way delivery system has evolved into a dynamic network where information and energy flow both ways.

Technological advancements are also born from the need to secure the energy grid against potential physical and cyber threats. For example, the technology allowing for the rerouting of power and quick response in the event of attacks is being deployed across the grid.

The cooperation among Federal, State, and local governments is essential to protecting Americans and our Nation's infrastructure. Given today's cyber environment, it is more important than ever that Congress pursue policies that continue to foster these exciting developments and support our grid infrastructure.

This bill, the Cyber Sense Act of 2019, makes important headway in protecting our critical grid infrastructure. The Cyber Sense Act would create a voluntary program through the Department of Energy to identify cyber-secure products intended for use in the bulk-power grid through a testing and verification program.

The bill also establishes a testing process for products, along with a reporting process for cyber vulnerabilities. It would require the Secretary of Energy to keep a related database on the products which will aid electric utilities that are evaluating products and their potential to cause harm to the electric grid.

The bulk-power system supports American industry and provides all the benefits of reliable electric power to the American people. However, the increasing frequency of cyberattacks on industrial control systems of critical infrastructure importance continues to be a concern to the electric power sector.

As the grid is modernized and the digital advantages afforded by internet connectivity are adopted, it is essential that we ensure these systems are as secure as possible. Any vulnerable component in the grid is a threat to our security, and this bill will go a long way to strengthening our system.

I thank my colleague, Mr. Latta, for his partnership in our efforts as co-chairs of the Grid Innovation Caucus, and I look forward to continuing to work with him and others to ensure a more secure and resilient grid.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my fellow Members to support this bill.

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