Defending the U.S. Electric Grid Against Cyber Threats
On Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. ET, Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, will hold a hybrid hearing to examine the security of the U.S. electric grid in light of the recent uptick in cyber incidents targeting government and critical infrastructure systems.
The U.S. electric grid is a priority target for state and non-state cyber adversaries, and a successful attack could have devastating consequences for U.S. national security and economic interests. Although President Biden has taken decisive action to strengthen our national cyber defenses and protect U.S. critical infrastructure—including the electric grid—there are still vulnerabilities that must be addressed.
The hearing will also consider whether additional regulations and policy initiatives are needed to mitigate growing cybersecurity threats to distribution systems, utility vendors, and global supply chains that support the U.S. electric grid.
Witnesses- Eric Goldstein, Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, on behalf of Department of Homeland Security
- Puesh M. Kumar, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response, on behalf of Department of Energy
- Joseph H. McClelland, Director, Office of Energy Infrastructure Security, on behalf of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
The Changing Energy Landscape: Oversight of FERC
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is an independent agency within the Department of Energy, led by five commissioners. It regulates the interstate transmission and sale of electricity and natural gas, as well as the rates for transportation of oil by pipeline. FERC also oversees the permitting of interstate natural gas pipelines and related facilities, reviews proposals for liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, and licenses hydroelectric projects. It is also responsible for the safety and inspection of dams associated with FERC-licensed projects. In addition to its licensing and ratemaking authorities, FERC oversees the wholesale electricity markets, protects the reliability of the electric grid, and reviews mergers, acquisitions, and corporate transactions by electricity companies, among other things. President Biden named Commissioner Richard Glick as FERC Chairman on January 21, 2021.
Witnesses- Richard Glick, Chairman, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
- Neil Chatterjee, Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
- James Danly, Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
- Allison Clements, Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
- Mark C. Christie, Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
President's FY 2022 Budget Request for the Department of the Interior
- Sen. Joe Manchin, Chairman
- Sen. John Barrasso, Ranking Member
- Debra Haaland, Secretary, U.S. Department of the Interior
Wealth for the Working Class: The Clean Energy Economy
The clean energy economy has seen robust growth in recent decades and now presents the opportunity for widespread wealth creation that benefits American small businesses, their workers, and consumers. It has the potential to create millions of good-paying jobs spread across tens of thousands of businesses while simultaneously lowering energy prices for consumers.
This hearing will focus on workforce development initiatives in the clean energy economy, discuss Congressional proposals regarding clean energy, and explore the potential for the growth this industry could unleash.
Witnesses- Leticia Colon De Mejias, Chief Executive Officer of Energy Efficiencies Solutions and Co-chair for the Building Performance Association, Energy Efficiencies Solutions
- James Hasselbeck , Director of Operations , ReVision Energy, Inc., South Portland, ME
- Samuel Gilchrist, Western Campaigns Director, Natural Resources Defense Council, Denver, CO
- Tom Greer, Proprietor and Owner, Hub City Brewing Co., Belen, NM, Testifying on behalf of the Consumer Energy Alliance
Legislation to extend the wildfire and hurricane indemnity program for crop losses
Business meeting to consider H.R. 267, the 2020 WHIP+ Reauthorization Act.
The text of the act:Amounts appropriated by section 791(d) of division B of Public Law 116–94 shall also be made available for necessary expenses related to losses of crops (including smoke-tainted wine grapes) as a consequence of wildfires occurring in calendar year 2020 in the same manner as other crop losses under the heading “Department of Agriculture—Agricultural Programs—Processing, Research and Marketing—Office of the Secretary” in title I of the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019 (Public Law 116–20).
Pipeline Cybersecurity: Protecting Critical Infrastructure
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will convene a hearing titled “Pipeline Cybersecurity: Protecting Critical Infrastructure“ at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. The hearing will examine the current state of pipeline cybersecurity and the role that federal regulators play in protecting our nation’s critical infrastructure from malicious actors. This hearing will provide members an opportunity to examine recent actions taken in response to pipeline cyber incidents and gaps in our current oversight and regulatory structure.
Witnesses:- David Pekoske, Administrator, Transportation Security Administration
- Polly Trottenberg, Deputy Secretary, Department of Transportation
- Leslie Gordon, Acting Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Government Accountability Office
H.R. 4502—LHHS, Agriculture, Energy and Water, FSGG, Interior, Environment, MilCon/VA, and THUD Appropriations
Meeting for H.R. 4502, the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Agriculture, Rural Development, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Interior, Environment, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2022.
- Division A (Labor, Health and Human Services, Education) – Committee Report
- Division B (H.R. 4356 – Agriculture, Rural Development) – Committee Report
- Division C (Energy and Water Development) – Committee Report
- Division D (H.R. 4345 – Financial Services and General Government) – Committee Report
- Division E (H.R. 4372 – Interior, Environment) – Committee Report
- Division F (H.R. 4355 – Military Construction, Veterans Affairs) – Committee Report
- Division G (Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development) – Committee Report
The amendment deadline was July 21.
Examining Current Issues Adversely Affecting Environmental Justice Populations
On Wednesday, July 22, at 10:00 AM ET, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice, and Regulatory Oversight will hold a hearing to examine current issues that adversely affect environmental justice communities.
Pending Nominations for Interior, Energy, BLM
The purpose of the business meeting is to consider the nominations of:
- Robert T. Anderson to be Solicitor of the Department of the Interior
- Shalanda H. Baker to be Director of the Office of Minority Economic Impact, Department of Energy
- Samuel T. Walsh to be General Counsel, Department of Energy (June 8)
- Andrew E. Light to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (International Affairs)
- Tracy Stone-Manning to be Director of the Bureau of Land Management.
Robert Anderson’s nomination hearing was May 18; the rest had their nomination hearing on June 8.