Markey: Electricity Grid Security Act Passes Energy and Environment Subcommittee
Bi-partisan GRID Act Would Protect Electricity System Against Attacks
Bi-partisan legislation co-authored by Chairman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) that would protect our nation’s electricity grid from attacks today passed the Energy and Environment Subcommittee and now heads to the full Energy and Commerce Committee. The Grid Reliability and Infrastructure Defense Act (GRID Act) passed on a unanimous voice vote by the subcommittee.
“Right now, our electrical grid is vulnerable to threats from terrorists and hostile countries. Our adversaries have motive, intent, and the capacity to exploit these weaknesses,” said Chairman Markey. “Every one of our nation’s critical systems – water, healthcare, telecommunications, transportation, law enforcement, and financial services – depends on the grid.”
The GRID Act would direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to take measures to protect the electricity grid from telecommunications intrusions.
Yesterday, the subcommittee held a hearing with all of the Commissioners of FERC to discuss this important issue. The commissioners emphasized the gravity of the threat America’s grid faces and the inadequacy of existing law to deal with this threat. Chairman Markey and others heard the same message during a classified briefing held last month.
The Select Committee was active during the 110th and 111th Congresses. This is an archived version of the website, to ensure that the public has ongoing access to the Select Committee record. This website, including external links, will not be updated after Jan. 3rd, 2010.
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