[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 24 (Monday, February 6, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H694-H696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1730
ENERGY CYBERSECURITY UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP ACT OF 2023
Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 302) 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, and for other purposes, as
amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 302
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 2023''.
SEC. 2. ENERGY CYBERSECURITY UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP
ACTIVITIES.
(a) In General.--In coordination with the activities
authorized under title VIII of division Z of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260), the Secretary
of Energy shall support the development of a next-generation
energy-specific cybersecurity workforce by--
(1) providing 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;
(2) providing graduate students and postdoctoral
researchers with research traineeship experiences at National
Laboratories and utilities; and
(3) conducting outreach to historically Black colleges and
universities, Tribal Colleges or Universities, and minority-
serving institutions.
(b) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy 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
implementation of the activities described in subsection (a).
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) 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).
(2) 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)).
(3) Minority-serving institution.--The term ``minority-
serving institution'' means
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an eligible institution under section 371(a) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).
(4) 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).
(5) 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
Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Ross)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oklahoma.
General Leave
Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on H.R. 302, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Oklahoma?
There was no objection.
Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 302, the Energy
Cybersecurity University Leadership Act of 2023 led by Representative
Ross and Representative Carey.
Cyberattacks from foreign adversaries on the U.S. energy sector
present a major and constantly evolving threat to our national
security, energy independence, and global competitiveness.
Multiple attacks over the past few years have shown us that whether
it is our liquefied natural gas industry, our electric grid, or even
our national laboratories, all critical U.S. energy assets can be
attractive targets for adversarial cyber campaigns.
Troublingly, many of these cyberattacks are just preparations for
future operations. As the FBI, CISA, and other security agencies have
warned, the CCP is using smaller attacks now to provide inroads so they
can inflict major damage to our energy infrastructure in the future.
The threats to our energy cybersecurity have only increased recently
due to several factors such as the war in Ukraine, increased aggression
from the CCP, and the development of new energy technologies and grid
modernization practices.
To protect our energy sector, we need to take a whole-of-government
approach, and the Department of Energy plays a central role in planning
for and countering these attacks.
H.R. 302 is one way to support the DOE's energy cybersecurity
mission. This is important, bipartisan legislation that will help
address expanding vulnerabilities in our energy sector by strengthening
the next generation of our energy cybersecurity workforce.
I thank my colleague, Representative Ross, for reintroducing this
timely bill and Representative Carey for joining her as the Republican
lead of this bipartisan effort.
On the Science Committee, energy cybersecurity initiatives have long
been a bipartisan priority. H.R. 302 is just the beginning of our work
on this issue in the 118th Congress.
I pledge to continue working with all Members to pass legislation
that will keep the U.S. energy sector safe, reliable, and competitive
for years to come.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Energy Cybersecurity
University Leadership Act of 2023--a reintroduced version of this bill
brought by myself along with Representative Carey. The House passed
this bill overwhelmingly in a bipartisan fashion during the 117th
Congress.
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. In May of 2021, 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 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 exposure to these
types of attacks. The Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Act, a
bipartisan bill I co-led with Congressman Carey--and I am pleased to do
again--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 traineeship 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 and clean energy. From NC State to UNC-Charlotte to the
west, to Shaw, St. 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 Ranking Member Lofgren and Chairman Lucas for their
leadership in bringing forth this bill not just this session but the
session before.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 302, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Carey).
Mr. CAREY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 302, the
Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Act of 2023.
Reliable energy infrastructure is critical to our national security
and our economic well-being. With the rising number of threats and
attacks on our energy grid, this bipartisan, commonsense legislation
will help our country avoid large-scale power outages due
to cyberattacks on our critical infrastructure.
The Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Act directs the
Secretary of Energy to provide financial assistance to graduate
students and postdoctoral researchers studying the convergence of
cybersecurity and energy infrastructure.
This financial assistance in the form of fellowships, scholarships,
and research and development projects will prepare the next generation
to address the cyberattacks on our energy infrastructure that our
Nation will inevitably face.
These graduate students and postdoctoral researchers will have the
opportunity to study and train at our national laboratories, giving
them the proper experience and tools to be successful in protecting our
energy grid as they enter the workforce.
With the war in Europe, the rising threat of China, and the record-
high energy prices over the last couple of years, it is more important
than ever to invest in the protection of energy infrastructure, and
this legislation is a step in the right direction.
I thank Congresswoman Ross for her work on this important legislation
as well as Chairman Lucas and Ranking Member Lofgren for bringing the
bill to the floor for consideration.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this important
bill.
Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I yield myself
the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, again, I thank Chairman Lucas for his leadership and
my colleague, Congressman Carey, for his support of this. We have
worked very closely together, again in the last Congress and early in
this Congress, on this priority issue. This is a commonsense,
bipartisan bill that will address critical vulnerabilities in our
national energy infrastructure.
We need a strong workforce that is ready to protect our existing
energy infrastructure and build a safe, resilient energy infrastructure
of the future.
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Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, there has never been a more critical issue than to
ensure the cybersecurity of our Nation's energy sector. H.R. 302 will
help develop the most important long-term weapon we have in our arsenal
against cyberattacks: a highly skilled and informed American workforce.
It is bipartisan, forward-looking legislation, which is why it passed
the House on suspension last year.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, once again,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 302, ``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, and for Other Purposes.''
H.R. 302 is an important contribution to and necessary investment in
future generations of scientists and researchers, critical for our new
age of digitization and increased security threats nationally and
internationally.
This effort will support the fundamental development of a robust and
resilient cybersecurity workforce to help address the unique challenges
of recruiting and retaining cybersecurity professionals for careers
serving in local, state, federal or tribal governments.
As such, this bill is vital for the state of our future economies,
safety, and sovereignty as a nation.
Specifically, H.R. 302 will put forth the necessary funding through
the Secretary of Energy to strategically investment in our students
pursuing advanced studies in the fields of cybersecurity and energy
infrastructure.
For years, government officials and industry executives have run
elaborate simulations of a targeted cyberattack on the power grid or
gas pipelines in the United States, imagining how the country would
respond.
However, on May 6, 2021, we were attacked through a ransomware attack
by a criminal extortion ring that caused long lines of nervous
motorists at gas stations--stemming not from a government response but
from a unilateral decision by Colonial Pipeline, which controls nearly
half the gasoline, jet fuel and diesel flowing along the East Coast, to
turn off the spigot.
The lessons are clear and demonstrate how far the government and
private industry must go in preventing and dealing with cyberattacks
and in creating rapid backup systems for when critical infrastructure
goes down.
Furthermore, Russian hackers have been probing Texas' energy
infrastructure for weak points in digital systems that would allow them
to steal sensitive information or disrupt operations, according to
interviews with energy companies, state officials and cybersecurity
experts.
We must invest in our educational institutions and our student's
ability to hone the necessary skills to not only work in the digital
age but to become the cybersecurity leaders of the future.
Texas is already deemed to be the hub of science and technology
innovation and the center of cybersecurity development.
This bill will further support and uplift the potential of Texas and
other states to not only prepare students for cybersecurity careers but
also to raise awareness and protect against cyberthreats across our
nation.
Additionally, in supporting our economy this investment recognizes
the incredible value and revenue streams afforded through the
cybersecurity market.
This market is projected to reach $64.86 billion this year alone,
according to data provider Statista. And by 2027, that number is
expected to climb to $116.3 billion.
In line with that projected revenue growth, the U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics forecasts the number of information security analysts in the
U.S. will rise 35 percent between 2021 and 2031. And the bureau lists
the median pay for an information security analyst as $102,600 per
year.
We must continue to invest in the future of our cybersecurity
education and careers to support and uphold our future economies,
safety, and sovereignty as a nation.
Simply stated, this bill is smart policy moving us in that right
direction, and its passage will certainly help to keep our Nation
strong and competitive.
I urge all my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of H.R. 302.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 302, as amended.
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. LUCAS. 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 question will be postponed.
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