[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 26, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H7090-H7091]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         ENERGY CYBERSECURITY UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP ACT OF 2022

  Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 7569) to direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a 
program to provide financial assistance to graduate students and 
postdoctoral researchers pursuing certain courses of study relating to 
cybersecurity and energy infrastructure.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 7569

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Energy Cybersecurity 
     University Leadership Act of 2022''.

     SEC. 2. ENERGY CYBERSECURITY UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP PROGRAM.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) Addressing cybersecurity vulnerabilities in energy-
     related critical infrastructure after an intrusion occurs is 
     inefficient, ineffective, and costly.
       (2) Integrating cybersecurity considerations into the 
     research, design, and development of energy infrastructure 
     represents a cost-effective approach to enhancing the 
     security, resilience, and reliability of the electric grid, 
     oil and natural gas pipelines, and other energy distribution, 
     transmission, and generation systems.
       (3) Successfully employing the approach outlined in 
     paragraph (2) as a guiding principle for the Department's 
     energy infrastructure activities will require a diverse, 
     inclusive, and highly skilled workforce which possesses 
     energy-specific cybersecurity expertise and familiarity with 
     associated research, development, and demonstration needs.
       (4) A dedicated science scholarship program at the 
     Department for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers 
     studying energy-specific cybersecurity disciplines could help 
     address the challenges stated in paragraphs (1) through (3).
       (b) Program.--
       (1) Establishment.--The Secretary of Energy shall establish 
     an Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Program 
     (referred to in this section as the ``Program'') to carry out 
     the activities described in paragraph (2).
       (2) Program activities.--The Secretary shall--
       (A) provide financial assistance, on a competitive basis, 
     for scholarships, fellowships, and research and development 
     projects at institutions of higher education to support 
     graduate students and postdoctoral researchers pursuing a 
     course of study that integrates cybersecurity competencies 
     within disciplines associated with energy infrastructure 
     needs;
       (B) provide graduate students and postdoctoral researchers 
     supported under the Program with research traineeship 
     experiences at National Laboratories and utilities; and
       (C) conduct outreach to historically Black colleges and 
     universities, Tribal Colleges or Universities, and minority-
     serving institutions.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the Senate a report on the development and 
     implementation of the Program.
       (d) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
     Department of Energy.
       (2) Historically black college and university.--The term 
     ``historically Black college and university'' has the meaning 
     given the term ``part B institution'' in section 322 of the 
     Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061).
       (3) Institution of higher education.--The term 
     ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given 
     such term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
       (4) Minority-serving institution.--The term ``minority-
     serving institution'' means an eligible institution under 
     section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1067q(a)).
       (5) National laboratory.--The term ``National Laboratory'' 
     has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Energy 
     Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).
       (6) Tribal college or university.--The term ``Tribal 
     College or University'' has the meaning given such term in 
     section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1059c(b)).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Beyer) and the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous material on H.R. 7569, the bill now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7569, the Energy 
Cybersecurity University Leadership Act of 2022.
  This bill authorizes the Secretary of Energy to establish a program 
to support graduate students and postdoctoral researchers pursuing 
coursework at the intersection of cybersecurity and energy 
infrastructure.
  In doing so, the bill aims to empower the Department of Energy to 
train a new generation of scientists and engineers who can design and 
develop energy infrastructure systems with cybersecurity considerations 
from the very start.
  In addition, to financial assistance for scholarships, fellowships, 
and research projects, awardees will be provided with research 
traineeships at national laboratories and utilities to gain practical, 
hands-on experience with developing new tools and technology.
  Furthermore, the bill explicitly encourages the Department to 
leverage this program as a tool for diversifying the high-skilled 
workforce by expanding outreach to historically Black colleges and 
universities, Tribal colleges and universities, and minority-serving 
institutions.
  In sum, this bill represents a necessary and fundamental change from 
our current approach to securing our infrastructure, where 
cybersecurity solutions are retroactively applied only after attack has 
actually occurred.
  I thank Representative Ross for introducing this thoughtful 
legislation. I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 7569.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7569, the Energy 
Cybersecurity University Leadership Act.
  Broadly, this bill is meant to expand the cybersecurity workforce for 
our energy sector. But before I explain how it will do that, I will 
impress upon my colleagues why this is necessary.
  Our energy sector is facing more threats now than ever before. 
Russia's attack on Ukraine has heightened threats to our 
infrastructure, and our liquefied natural gas industry has been the 
target of numerous cyberattacks recently.
  The FBI has also been issuing warnings about credible threats to our 
energy infrastructure. In addition to staying vigilant now, we need to 
prepare ourselves for a future in which threats like these continue to 
grow. The way we do this is by building our energy sector cybersecurity 
workforce. This bill does just that with a three-pronged approach.
  First, it encourages further study in this field by creating a 
program at the Department of Energy that provides financial assistance 
to graduate students and post-docs who are working on cybersecurity and 
energy infrastructure.
  Second, it provides energy cybersecurity training through 
traineeships at our national labs and utilities, giving students 
practical skills and experience to bring to the workforce.

[[Page H7091]]

  Third, it ensures that we have access to the broadest possible range 
of potential cybersecurity experts by conducting outreach to 
historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal colleges and 
universities, and minority-serving institutions.
  Taken together, these three provisions in this bill will expand and 
improve our energy cybersecurity workforce and help us protect our 
critical infrastructure from growing threats.
  I thank my colleague, Representative Ross, for introducing this 
important legislation, and Representative Carey for joining her as the 
Republican lead on this bipartisan effort. It deserves our full 
support.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Ms. Ross).
  Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7569, the 
Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Act.
  As all Members know, the United States has witnessed an alarming rise 
in cybersecurity threats and attacks against our energy infrastructure. 
My home State of North Carolina is no exception.
  Just over a year ago, a disastrous cyberattack on the Colonial 
Pipeline caused the company to halt all pipeline operations, leading to 
panic-buying of gasoline and diesel fuels across my home State. Roughly 
two-thirds of North Carolina's gas stations ran out of fuel, including 
over 70 percent of gas stations in Raleigh, the largest city in my 
district.
  Our constituents rely on dependable energy sources for their lives 
and their livelihoods, and we cannot afford continued exposures to 
these types of attacks.
  The Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Act, a bipartisan bill 
I co-led with Congressman Carey, will help address this vulnerability.
  Our bill will confront growing cyber threats against our country's 
critical energy infrastructure by making real investments in a strong 
and diverse workforce that is ready to meet the challenges we face.
  It will provide financial assistance to support graduate students 
studying the convergence of cybersecurity and energy infrastructure, in 
addition to providing hands-on training and experience at our national 
laboratories and utilities.

  It will also expand the Department of Energy's outreach to HBCUs, 
minority-serving institutions, and Tribal colleges.
  I represent much of the Research Triangle, home to institutions and 
universities that are propelling our Nation's innovation in 
cybersecurity, as well as clean energy.
  From NC State to Shaw, to Saint Augustine's, and Wake Tech, this 
legislation will better equip our brilliant students and researchers in 
North Carolina and beyond to tackle the changing cybersecurity 
landscape.
  I thank Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas for their 
leadership in bringing forth this bill and the other Science Committee 
bills we are considering today. I urge my colleagues to support the 
bill.
  Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I yield myself 
the balance of my time.
  Madam Speaker, our energy industry infrastructure quite literally 
keeps our country running. Cyberattacks that damage our grids, shut 
down our pipelines, interrupt our energy transmissions can have real 
and dangerous consequences for families and businesses across the 
country.
  We know our energy sector is an attractive target for our foreign 
adversaries, so we need to do everything within our power to keep it 
secure and reliable.

                              {time}  1445

  H.R. 7569 will help develop the most important weapon we have in our 
arsenal against cyberattacks: a highly skilled and engaged workforce.
  I appreciate the work that Representatives Ross and Carey have done 
to get this bill to the House floor.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support it today so we can 
move quickly to begin developing cybersecurity resources.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, with great thanks to Ms. Ross for her 
leadership and to my friend, Ranking Member Lucas, for his support, I 
urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7569, and I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 7569.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. TIFFANY. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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