Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019

Floor Speech

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Mr. SOTO. Mr. Chair, my amendment would increase funding for the Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response program by $1 million and decrease the departmental administration fund within the Department of Energy by an equal amount.

The new Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response addresses the emerging threats of tomorrow while protecting the reliable flow of energy to America's broad population today by improving energy infrastructure security and supporting the Department of Energy's national security mission.

Being prepared and ready to respond quickly and effectively to all hazards is crucial. We need to make sure we can improve the ability of energy sector stakeholders to prevent, prepare for, and respond to threats, hazards, natural disaster, and other supply disruptions. Additionally, in today's highly interconnected world, reliable energy delivery requires cyber resilient energy delivery systems.

This amendment would increase funds to focus on preparedness and response activities to natural and manmade threats, ensuring a stronger, more prosperous, and secure future for the Nation.

Mr. Chair, I thank the chairman for his support.

I urge my colleagues to support the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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Mr. SOTO. Mr. Chair, my amendment would increase funding for the Electric Delivery program by $1 million and decrease the departmental administrative fund within the Department of Energy by an equal amount.

This amendment is intended to increase funding for the new Electric Delivery program's activities to accelerate discovery and innovation in electrical transmission and distribution technologies and create next generation devices, software, tools, and techniques to help modernize the electric grid.

Additionally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the committee for all their work in advancing high-power capacity batteries and grid restoration efforts in Puerto Rico.

First, I thank the committee for the inclusion of report language discussing the potential benefits of high-power, high-capacity batteries. These batteries could provide energy resilience in the face of extreme weather disasters. These technologies could have prevented hardships during last year's hurricane season and decrease reliance on generators during emergencies.

In Florida, Hurricane Maria caused a prolonged power outage in assisted living facilities that cost lives. This could have been prevented, and this amendment assists in that.

Second, I thank the committee for the report language that supports the Department's involvement in the grid restoration efforts in Puerto Rico. Their continued effort and support provide technical assistance as Puerto Rico works to rebuild its energy infrastructure and is essential to long-term recovery.

Again, my amendment would increase funding for the Electric Delivery program, which would advance our Nation's grid reliability and resiliency.

I thank the chairman and the committee for their support, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

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