5 Bills to Boost Energy Sector Cyber Defenses Clear House Panel

The House Subcommittee on Energy this week advanced five recently introduced bills aimed at boosting the physical and cyber security of the United States’ electric grid and other energy infrastructure.

The bills collectively aim to update Department of Energy (DOE) programs, enhance grid and pipeline protections, and prioritize cybersecurity for vulnerable sectors amid rising threats.

One of the bills is H.R. 7258, named the Energy Emergency Leadership Act, which bolsters the Department of Energy’s capabilities to perform its energy emergency functions and respond to risks and incidents.

The second bill is H.R. 7266, the Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act. It reauthorizes and supports a cybersecurity program through 2030, providing rural electric cooperatives, small utilities, and public power agencies with advanced cybersecurity tools, technical assistance, and grant funding.

H.R. 7257, the Securing Community Upgrades for a Resilient Grid (SECURE Grid) Act, updates and enhances programs for ...