Securing Community Upgrades for A Resilient Grid Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Kentucky, the chair of the full committee, for recognizing me today.

I rise in support of H.R. 7257, the SECURE Grid Act, which I sponsored with the gentlewoman from California's Seventh Congressional District.

State energy security plans, or SESPs, provide States with an opportunity to identify threats and vulnerabilities in their respective energy networks. This collaborative process ensures that States can stay on the cutting edge of an evolving threat landscape.

While the initial exercise of SESPs has meaningfully assisted States in managing their energy systems, there is room for improvement to enhance visibility and threat detection and to holistically consider disparate vulnerabilities across the sector.

The SECURE Grid Act achieves this goal by ensuring States incorporate security and resilience of distribution networks. Distribution networks bring wholesale power directly to homes and businesses to keep the lights on and keep our businesses up and running. Any threat to the distribution system is a threat to our communities.

Importantly, the legislation also brings industry experts to the table during the development of SESPs to ensure State governments are equipped with the resources and operational understanding of the complex infrastructure.

In addition, the bill affirms the important leadership role of State governments to protect their energy systems while fostering collaborative partnerships with Federal counterparts.

Given the States' authority and understanding of their own unique energy needs, it is imperative that they are empowered to develop their own plans while working collaboratively with Federal partners.

This legislation comes at a timely moment in our Nation's history. Throughout the 119th Congress, the Energy Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee has held several hearings with experts and administration officials to examine the state of our Nation's energy systems.

Each day, it becomes ever more apparent that our reliance on energy is growing because of AI advancements, reshoring of manufacturing facilities, and general economy-wide electrification.

Families across the country can be burdened by high energy costs, and we know that there is nothing more expensive than a blackout.

We also know that adversarial nations and nefarious actors are actively seeking out any vulnerability in our interconnected energy infrastructure to sow chaos and cause harm to everyday Americans.

To combat these efforts, the legislation requires proactive information sharing, constant vigilance, and clear visibility into the widening threat landscape. The SECURE Grid Act ensures that State energy offices and their respective Governors are able to put processes in place to detect, mitigate, and respond to potential attacks targeting critical infrastructure.

The everyday lives of families and businesses are wholly reliant on a secure, reliable, and affordable energy system.

Mr. Speaker, for the reasons stated, it is important that the House pass H.R. 7257, the SECURE Grid Act.

Again, I thank the gentlewoman from California's Seventh District for her help on this legislation.

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