Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Act of 2023
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 302) 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, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 302
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 2023''. SEC. 2. ENERGY CYBERSECURITY UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES.
(a) In General.--In coordination with the activities authorized under title VIII of division Z of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260), the Secretary of Energy shall support the development of a next-generation energy-specific cybersecurity workforce by--
(1) providing 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;
(2) providing graduate students and postdoctoral researchers with research traineeship experiences at National Laboratories and utilities; and
(3) conducting outreach to historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal Colleges or Universities, and minority- serving institutions.
(b) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy 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 implementation of the activities described in subsection (a).
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) 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).
(2) 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)).
(3) 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)).
(4) 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).
(5) 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)).
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. LUCAS. 302, the bill now under consideration.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 302, the Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Act of 2023 led by Representative Ross and Representative Carey.
Cyberattacks from foreign adversaries on the U.S. energy sector present a major and constantly evolving threat to our national security, energy independence, and global competitiveness.
Multiple attacks over the past few years have shown us that whether it is our liquefied natural gas industry, our electric grid, or even our national laboratories, all critical U.S. energy assets can be attractive targets for adversarial cyber campaigns.
Troublingly, many of these cyberattacks are just preparations for future operations. As the FBI, CISA, and other security agencies have warned, the CCP is using smaller attacks now to provide inroads so they can inflict major damage to our energy infrastructure in the future.
The threats to our energy cybersecurity have only increased recently due to several factors such as the war in Ukraine, increased aggression from the CCP, and the development of new energy technologies and grid modernization practices.
To protect our energy sector, we need to take a whole-of-government approach, and the Department of Energy plays a central role in planning for and countering these attacks.
H.R. 302 is one way to support the DOE's energy cybersecurity mission. This is important, bipartisan legislation that will help address expanding vulnerabilities in our energy sector by strengthening the next generation of our energy cybersecurity workforce.
I thank my colleague, Representative Ross, for reintroducing this timely bill and Representative Carey for joining her as the Republican lead of this bipartisan effort.
On the Science Committee, energy cybersecurity initiatives have long been a bipartisan priority. H.R. 302 is just the beginning of our work on this issue in the 118th Congress.
I pledge to continue working with all Members to pass legislation that will keep the U.S. energy sector safe, reliable, and competitive for years to come.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Carey).
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, there has never been a more critical issue than to ensure the cybersecurity of our Nation's energy sector. H.R. 302 will help develop the most important long-term weapon we have in our arsenal against cyberattacks: a highly skilled and informed American workforce.
It is bipartisan, forward-looking legislation, which is why it passed the House on suspension last year.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, once again, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 302, ``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, and for Other Purposes.''
H.R. 302 is an important contribution to and necessary investment in future generations of scientists and researchers, critical for our new age of digitization and increased security threats nationally and internationally.
This effort will support the fundamental development of a robust and resilient cybersecurity workforce to help address the unique challenges of recruiting and retaining cybersecurity professionals for careers serving in local, state, federal or tribal governments.
As such, this bill is vital for the state of our future economies, safety, and sovereignty as a nation.
Specifically, H.R. 302 will put forth the necessary funding through the Secretary of Energy to strategically investment in our students pursuing advanced studies in the fields of cybersecurity and energy infrastructure.
For years, government officials and industry executives have run elaborate simulations of a targeted cyberattack on the power grid or gas pipelines in the United States, imagining how the country would respond.
However, on May 6, 2021, we were attacked through a ransomware attack by a criminal extortion ring that caused long lines of nervous motorists at gas stations--stemming not from a government response but from a unilateral decision by Colonial Pipeline, which controls nearly half the gasoline, jet fuel and diesel flowing along the East Coast, to turn off the spigot.
The lessons are clear and demonstrate how far the government and private industry must go in preventing and dealing with cyberattacks and in creating rapid backup systems for when critical infrastructure goes down.
Furthermore, Russian hackers have been probing Texas' energy infrastructure for weak points in digital systems that would allow them to steal sensitive information or disrupt operations, according to interviews with energy companies, state officials and cybersecurity experts.
We must invest in our educational institutions and our student's ability to hone the necessary skills to not only work in the digital age but to become the cybersecurity leaders of the future.
Texas is already deemed to be the hub of science and technology innovation and the center of cybersecurity development.
This bill will further support and uplift the potential of Texas and other states to not only prepare students for cybersecurity careers but also to raise awareness and protect against cyberthreats across our nation.
Additionally, in supporting our economy this investment recognizes the incredible value and revenue streams afforded through the cybersecurity market.
This market is projected to reach $64.86 billion this year alone, according to data provider Statista. And by 2027, that number is expected to climb to $116.3 billion.
In line with that projected revenue growth, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts the number of information security analysts in the U.S. will rise 35 percent between 2021 and 2031. And the bureau lists the median pay for an information security analyst as $102,600 per year.
We must continue to invest in the future of our cybersecurity education and careers to support and uphold our future economies, safety, and sovereignty as a nation.
Simply stated, this bill is smart policy moving us in that right direction, and its passage will certainly help to keep our Nation strong and competitive.
I urge all my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of H.R. 302.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source