A handful of bipartisan bills aimed at protecting U.S. energy infrastructure from cyber threats and physical attacks breezed through a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee Wednesday.
The Energy Subcommittee unanimously approved five measures that would reauthorize key Department of Energy cybersecurity programs and launch new initiatives to protect the nation’s energy systems. Lawmakers from both parties said rising threats in recent years demanded bipartisan action.
“These bills will strengthen this work by enhancing DOE’s existing energy sector authorities and by providing new tools to ensure fuller industry involvement,” said subcommittee Chair Bob Latta (R-Ohio). “We consider these bills today against the backdrop of growing threats to our energy systems — including advanced threats from our adversaries.”
Among the measures advanced was the “Energy Threat Analysis Center (ETAC) Act,” H.R. 7305, sponsored by subcommittee ranking member Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) and Rep. Gabe Evans (R-Colo.).
