Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Act of 2022
Floor Speech
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Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7569) to direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to provide financial assistance to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers pursuing certain courses of study relating to cybersecurity and energy infrastructure.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 7569
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Act of 2022''. SEC. 2. ENERGY CYBERSECURITY UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP PROGRAM.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Addressing cybersecurity vulnerabilities in energy- related critical infrastructure after an intrusion occurs is inefficient, ineffective, and costly.
(2) Integrating cybersecurity considerations into the research, design, and development of energy infrastructure represents a cost-effective approach to enhancing the security, resilience, and reliability of the electric grid, oil and natural gas pipelines, and other energy distribution, transmission, and generation systems.
(3) Successfully employing the approach outlined in paragraph (2) as a guiding principle for the Department's energy infrastructure activities will require a diverse, inclusive, and highly skilled workforce which possesses energy-specific cybersecurity expertise and familiarity with associated research, development, and demonstration needs.
(4) A dedicated science scholarship program at the Department for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers studying energy-specific cybersecurity disciplines could help address the challenges stated in paragraphs (1) through (3).
(b) Program.--
(1) Establishment.--The Secretary of Energy shall establish an Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Program (referred to in this section as the ``Program'') to carry out the activities described in paragraph (2).
(2) Program activities.--The Secretary shall--
(A) provide financial assistance, on a competitive basis, for scholarships, fellowships, and research and development projects at institutions of higher education to support graduate students and postdoctoral researchers pursuing a course of study that integrates cybersecurity competencies within disciplines associated with energy infrastructure needs;
(B) provide graduate students and postdoctoral researchers supported under the Program with research traineeship experiences at National Laboratories and utilities; and
(C) conduct outreach to historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal Colleges or Universities, and minority- serving institutions.
(c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report on the development and implementation of the Program.
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the Department of Energy.
(2) Historically black college and university.--The term ``historically Black college and university'' has the meaning given the term ``part B institution'' in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061).
(3) Institution of higher education.--The term ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
(4) Minority-serving institution.--The term ``minority- serving institution'' means an eligible institution under section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).
(5) National laboratory.--The term ``National Laboratory'' has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).
(6) Tribal college or university.--The term ``Tribal College or University'' has the meaning given such term in section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)).
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Mr. BEYER. 7569, the bill now under consideration.
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Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7569, the Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Act of 2022.
This bill authorizes the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to support graduate students and postdoctoral researchers pursuing coursework at the intersection of cybersecurity and energy infrastructure.
In doing so, the bill aims to empower the Department of Energy to train a new generation of scientists and engineers who can design and develop energy infrastructure systems with cybersecurity considerations from the very start.
In addition, to financial assistance for scholarships, fellowships, and research projects, awardees will be provided with research traineeships at national laboratories and utilities to gain practical, hands-on experience with developing new tools and technology.
Furthermore, the bill explicitly encourages the Department to leverage this program as a tool for diversifying the high-skilled workforce by expanding outreach to historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal colleges and universities, and minority-serving institutions.
In sum, this bill represents a necessary and fundamental change from our current approach to securing our infrastructure, where cybersecurity solutions are retroactively applied only after attack has actually occurred.
I thank Representative Ross for introducing this thoughtful legislation. I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 7569.
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Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Ross).
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Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, with great thanks to Ms. Ross for her leadership and to my friend, Ranking Member Lucas, for his support, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7569, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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