[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 108 (Monday, June 29, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H4296-H4297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SECURING COMMUNITY UPGRADES FOR A RESILIENT GRID ACT
Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 7257) to amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to
require States to include supporting the physical security,
cybersecurity, and resilience of local distribution systems in State
energy security plans, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 7257
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 ``Securing Community Upgrades
for a Resilient Grid Act'' or the ``SECURE Grid Act''.
SEC. 2. CONSIDERATION OF THE SECURITY OF LOCAL DISTRIBUTION
SYSTEMS IN STATE ENERGY SECURITY PLANS.
Section 366 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42
U.S.C. 6326) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Local distribution system.--The term `local
distribution system' means any energy infrastructure owned
and operated by an electric utility at a voltage of 100
kilovolts or less.'';
(2) in subsection (b)(2), by inserting ``, and suppliers of
equipment for the generation, transmission, and distribution
of electricity to,'' after ``owners and operators of'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
``(3) address potential hazards to each energy sector or
system, including--
``(A) physical threats and vulnerabilities, including--
``(i) weather-related threats and vulnerabilities;
``(ii) physical attacks on local distribution systems and
the bulk-power system; and
``(iii) supply chain risks for equipment for the
generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity;
and
``(B) cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities, including
threats to, and vulnerabilities of, local distribution
systems that may impact the bulk-power system;''; and
(B) by amending paragraph (5) to read as follows:
``(5) provide a risk mitigation approach to enhance
reliability and end-use resilience, including methods of
responding to, mitigating, and recovering from potential
hazards described in paragraph (3); and'';
(4) in subsection (d)(3)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);
and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
``(B) supplying equipment for the generation, transmission,
and distribution of electricity; and'';
(5) in subsection (e)--
(A) by striking ``A State is not eligible'' and inserting
the following:
``(1) Submission required.--A State is not eligible'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by redesignating subparagraphs (A)
and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively;
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as
subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively (and by moving the
margins accordingly); and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) State determination.--A submission under paragraph
(1) is not required to be approved by the Secretary.'';
(6) in subsection (f), by striking ``may'' and inserting
``shall'';
(7) in subsection (h), by inserting ``, local distribution
system,'' after ``electric utility''; and
(8) by striking subsection (i) and inserting the following:
``(i) Sunset.--This section shall expire on September 30,
2031.''.
SEC. 3. GAO REPORT.
(a) In General.--Not later than September 30, 2030, the
Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a
report on the efficacy of State energy security plans that
includes--
(1) an evaluation of whether and how State energy security
plans have improved the ability of States to identify,
assess, and mitigate risks to energy infrastructure and
supply chains and to plan for, respond to, and recover from
events that disrupt energy supply;
(2) recommendations for--
(A) improving the ability of States described in paragraph
(1); and
(B) actions the Secretary of Energy may take to improve
coordination with States with respect to identifying,
assessing, and mitigating risks to energy infrastructure and
supply chains and planning for, responding to, and recovering
from events that disrupt energy supply;
(3) information on Federal financial assistance made
available to States under part D of title III of the Energy
Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6321 et seq.) that was
used to implement State energy security plans;
(4) information on activities carried out by States using
such financial assistance;
(5) an analysis of the efficacy of the implementation of
section 366 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42
U.S.C. 6326), as amended by this Act; and
(6) information on State use of assistance provided under
section 366(f) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42
U.S.C. 6326(f)) (as amended by this Act), including any
revisions of State energy security plans made by States
resulting from assistance provided under such section 366(f).
(b) Protected Information.--The report required under
subsection (a) shall be submitted in a form that may be made
available to the public, except that any information
protected from disclosure under section 366(h) of the Energy
Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6326(h)) shall be
included in the report in an annex that shall not be publicly
disclosed, consistent with such section.
(c) State Energy Security Plan Defined.--In this section,
the term ``State energy security plan'' has the meaning given
such term in section 366(a) of the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6326(a)).
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Kentucky.
General Leave
Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H.R. 7257.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Kentucky?
There was no objection.
Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
[[Page H4297]]
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7257, the SECURE Grid Act,
sponsored by my colleague and Energy Subcommittee chairman from Ohio's
Fifth Congressional District, Mr. Latta.
State energy security plans are an important tool for States to
consider the vulnerabilities in their energy systems. The
interconnected nature of our energy system requires constant
information sharing and cohesive planning to assess, identify, and
address potential threats.
During this historic period of exponential demand growth caused by
next-generation industries, we need to be even more vigilant against
adversaries that seek to undermine U.S. competitiveness.
The SECURE Grid Act is a timely bill that would enhance a State's
ability to manage the security of their energy systems. H.R. 7257 will
improve visibility into an evolving threat landscape while ensuring
that experts in the energy field can help provide critical insights
into complex engineering operations.
As technology improvements have the potential to positively transform
our economy, these tools can also be used and exploited by bad actors.
This bill will ensure that States remain on the cutting edge of
innovation and security.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
{time} 1610
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7257, the SECURE Grid Act, is a bipartisan bill
that renews and enhances a State's ability to consider cyber and
physical security protections to their energy systems, and it promotes
collaboration between partners as they develop State energy security
plans.
These State plans are a part of DOE's State Energy Program, which
provides financial and technical assistance to help States with energy
planning. It was reauthorized and updated in the bipartisan
infrastructure law in 2021. As part of that reauthorization, plans must
include energy emergency planning to secure the United States against
physical and cyber threats.
The State energy security plans are an important tool that ensures
States are prepared for the worst. The planning process brings together
stakeholders and enables a level of coordination across Federal and
State actors. This bill helps enhance the parts of those plans that
guard against physical and cyber threats by ensuring that they
encompass more of our energy system, local power lines, as well as
facilities critical to ensuring the supply chain of energy
infrastructure-related components.
Finally, the bill also bolsters a State's ability to obtain
assistance from the Department of Energy, something I hope they will
take advantage of as they regularly update their energy security plans.
This bill also ensures that the Government Accountability Office will
review how DOE and the States execute these programs, to ensure that
Congress has the best information possible the next time the provision
needs to be renewed.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Latta), chairman of the Energy Subcommittee.
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.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I just want to say briefly that I think
this is an important bill, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of
the aisle to support it.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I agree that this is a very important bill. We have an
interconnected grid, and we have to make sure that all States are
ensuring that it is secure.
I appreciate my friend from Ohio for bringing this before his
subcommittee and the full committee, and I appreciate his efforts.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 7257, and
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Miller of Illinois). The question is on
the motion offered by the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) that
the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 7257, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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