[House Report 119-644]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
119th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { 119-644
======================================================================
SECURING COMMUNITY UPGRADES FOR A RESILIENT GRID ACT
----------------
May 11, 2026.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
----------------
Mr. Guthrie, from the Committee on Energy and Commerce,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 7257]
The Committee on Energy and Commerce, to whom was referred
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, having
considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an
amendment and recommends that the bill as amended do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 3
Background and Need for Legislation.............................. 3
Committee Action................................................. 4
Committee Votes.................................................. 5
Oversight Findings and Recommendations........................... 7
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures 7
Congressional Budget Office Estimate............................. 7
Federal Mandates Statement....................................... 7
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............ 7
Duplication of Federal Programs.................................. 7
Related Committee and Subcommittee Hearings...................... 7
Committee Cost Estimate.......................................... 8
Earmark, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff Benefits....... 8
Advisory Committee Statement..................................... 8
Applicability to Legislative Branch.............................. 8
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation................... 8
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............ 9
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
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)).
Purpose and Summary
H.R. 7257 the ``Securing Community Upgrades for a Resilient
Grid Act'' or the ``SECURE Grid Act'' was introduced by Rep.
Bob Latta (R-OH) and Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) on February 4th,
2026. H.R. 7257 would make updates to existing authorities
under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 to enhance
States' ability to holistically consider elements of energy
infrastructure cyber and physical security protections and
foster collaboration between federal, state, and private sector
partners to develop comprehensive State Energy Security Plans.
Background and Need for Legislation
The United States' energy infrastructure is comprised of a
vast network of energy and electricity delivery systems. This
includes hundreds of thousands of high voltage transmission
lines and millions of miles of low voltage distribution lines,
along with millions of miles of energy pipelines that transport
a variety of fuels to end users. These intricate and highly
interdependent systems enable almost every aspect of our daily
lives. The nation's economy, security, and the health and
safety of its citizens depend upon the reliable and
uninterrupted delivery of fuels and electricity. States and
territories play a critical role in protecting the security and
resiliency of energy infrastructure systems within their
borders.
Originally authorized under part D of title III of the
Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), the State
Energy Program at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) provides
federal financial and technical assistance to help states with
energy planning efforts.\1\ Since the inception of the DOE's
State Energy Program in 1975, the manner in which energy and
power is generated, transmitted, and delivered continues to
evolve rapidly.
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\1\Energy Policy Conservation Act of 1975, 42 U.S.C.
Sec. Sec. 6321-6326.
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Since the enactment of EPCA, several subsequent statutes
have reauthorized the State Energy Program, including the
Energy Conservation and Production Act of 1976, the State
Energy Efficiency Programs Improvement Act of 1990, the Energy
Policy Act of 1992, Energy Independence and Security Act of
2007, the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, and the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The State Energy Efficiency Programs Improvement Act of
1990 amended EPCA by including energy emergency planning
requirements as a supplement to State energy conservation
plans.\2\ Under this provision, federal financial assistance
for the entire State Energy Program was contingent upon a State
designing an energy emergency planning program for an energy
supply disruption. The energy emergency plan must include an
implementation strategy that includes regional coordination.
The submission of these plans has been for informational
purposes and has not required approval of the Secretary of
Energy. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act updated
energy emergency planning requirements under EPCA with
provisions that strengthened the ability of the United States
to secure energy infrastructure of the United States against
physical and cybersecurity threats and to mitigate against
energy supply disruptions.\3\
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\2\State Energy Efficiency Programs Improvement Act of 1990, 42
U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 6323(e).
\3\Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, 42 U.S.C.
Sec. Sec. 6321.
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On June 14th, 2023, the House Committee on Energy and
Commerce held a field hearing in Moore County, North Carolina,
to examine physical threats to electric infrastructure.\4\ This
hearing took place following several attacks on electric
infrastructure, including in Tacoma, Washington, Baltimore,
Maryland, and Moore County, North Carolina that left thousands
of customers without power for extend periods of time. Recent
cyber-related events have continued raising concerns about the
security and resiliency of the nation's energy and electricity
systems. States and Congress recognize the need to prioritize
energy security, emergency planning, and energy infrastructure
protection.
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\4\Oversight of FERC: Adhering To A Mission Of Affordable and
Reliable Energy for America: Hearing Before the Subcomm. On Energy of
the H. Comm on Energy and Commerce, 118th Cong. (2023).
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Throughout the 119th Congress, the Committee on Energy and
Commerce has received testimony detailing the importance of
State Energy Security Plans, as well as the collaborative
partnership between States and the DOE to develop and implement
emergency planning measures that can appropriately consider
potential hazards and risks facing complex energy systems.\5\
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\5\Protecting America's Energy Infrastructure in Today's Cyber and
Physical Threat Landscape: Hearing on H.R. 7257, H.R. 7258, H.R. 7266,
H.R. 7272, and H.R. 7305 Before the Subcomm. On Energy of the H. Comm
on Energy and Commerce, 119th Cong. (2026).
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In addition, the Committee has held several hearings
examining historic projections in electricity demand from next
generation industries and general economywide electrification.
Our nation's increasing reliance on the electric grid
necessitates holistic and comprehensive State Energy Security
Plans that can protect critical infrastructure from physical
and cyber threats.
Committee Action
On December 2, 2025, the Subcommittee on Energy held a
hearing on H.R. 7257. The title of the hearing was ``Securing
America's Energy Infrastructure: Addressing Cyber and Physical
Threats to the Grid.'' The Subcommittee received testimony
from:
Michael Ball, CEO of the Electricity
Information Sharing and Analysis Center and Senior Vice
President, North American Electric Reliability
Corporation;
Sharla Artz, Security and Resilience Policy
Area Vice President at Xcel Energy, on behalf of Edison
Electric Institute;
Tim Lindahl, President & CEO of Kenergy, on
behalf of National Rural Electric Cooperative
Association;
Zach Tudor, Associate Laboratory Director,
National & Homeland Security, Idaho National
Laboratory; and
Harry Krejsa, Director of Studies for the
Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology.
On January 13, 2026, the Subcommittee on Energy held a
hearing on H.R. 7257. The title of the hearing was ``Protecting
America's Energy Infrastructure in Today's Cyber and Physical
Threat Landscape.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from:
Alex Fitzsimmons, Acting Undersecretary of
Energy and Director of the Office of Cybersecurity,
Energy Security, and Emergency Response, U.S.
Department of Energy;
Scott I. Aaronson, Senior Vice President,
Energy Security and Industry Operations, Edison
Electric Institute;
Adrienne Lotto, Senior Vice President of
Grid Security, Technical and Operations Services,
American Public Power Association;
Nathaniel J. Melby, Ph.D., Vice President
and Chief Information Officer, Dairyland Power, on
behalf of National Rural Electric Cooperative
Association (NRECA); and
Rebecca O'Neil, Research Principal,
Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Directorate,
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
On February 4, 2026, the Subcommittee on Energy met in open
markup session and forwarded H.R. 7257, without amendment, to
the full Committee by voice vote. On March 5, 2026, the full
Committee on Energy and Commerce met in open markup session and
ordered H.R. 7257, as amended, favorably reported to the House
by a record vote of 47 yeas and 0 nays.
Committee Votes
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII requires the Committee to list the
record votes on the motion to report legislation and amendments
thereto. The following reflects the record votes taken during
the Committee consideration:
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Oversight Findings and Recommendations
Pursuant to clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of
rule XIII, the Committee held hearings and made findings that
are reflected in this report.
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and
Tax Expenditures
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII, the Committee
finds that H.R. 7257 would result in no new or increased budget
authority, entitlement authority, or tax expenditures or
revenues.
Congressional Budget Office Estimate
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII, at the time this
report was filed, the cost estimate prepared by the Director of
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was not available.
Federal Mandates Statement
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act.
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general
performance goal or objective of this legislation is to enhance
existing authorities under the Energy Policy and Conservation
Act of 1975 to develop comprehensive State Energy Security
Plans.
Duplication of Federal Programs
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII, no provision of
H.R. 7257 is known to be duplicative of another Federal
program, including any program that was included in a report to
Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139 or the
most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.
Related Committee and Subcommittee Hearings
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(6) of rule XIII, the following
related hearings were used to develop or consider H.R. 7257:
On December 2, 2025, the Subcommittee on
Energy held a hearing on H.R. 7257. The title of the
hearing was ``Securing America's Energy Infrastructure:
Addressing Cyber and Physical Threats to the Grid.''
The Subcommittee received testimony from:
Michael Ball, CEO of the
Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis
Center and Senior Vice President, North
American Electric Reliability Corporation;
Sharla Artz, Security and
Resilience Policy Area Vice President at Xcel
Energy, on behalf of Edison Electric Institute;
Tim Lindahl, President & CEO of
Kenergy, on behalf of National Rural Electric
Cooperative Association;
Zach Tudor, Associate Laboratory
Director, National & Homeland Security, Idaho
National Laboratory; and
Harry Krejsa, Director of
Studies for the Carnegie Mellon Institute for
Strategy & Technology.
On January 13, 2026, the Subcommittee on
Energy held a hearing on H.R. 7257. The title of the
hearing was ``Protecting America's Energy
Infrastructure in Today's Cyber and Physical Threat
Landscape.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from:
Alex Fitzsimmons, Acting
Undersecretary of Energy and Director of the
Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and
Emergency Response, U.S. Department of Energy;
Scott I. Aaronson, Senior Vice
President, Energy Security and Industry
Operations, Edison Electric Institute;
Adrienne Lotto, Senior Vice
President of Grid Security, Technical and
Operations Services, American Public Power
Association;
Nathaniel J. Melby, Ph.D., Vice
President and Chief Information Officer,
Dairyland Power, on behalf of National Rural
Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA); and
Rebecca O'Neil, Research
Principal, Infrastructure, Energy and
Environment Directorate, Pacific Northwest
National Laboratory.
Committee Cost Estimate
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII, the Committee
adopts as its own the cost estimate prepared by the Director of
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974. At the time this report was
filed, the estimate was not available.
Earmark, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff Benefits
Pursuant to clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI, the
Committee finds that H.R. 7257 contains no earmarks, limited
tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits.
Advisory Committee Statement
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this
legislation.
Applicability to Legislative Branch
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation
Section 1. Short title
This section provides the short title of ``Securing
Community Upgrades for a Resilient Grid'' or the ``SECURE Grid
Act.''
Section 2. Consideration of the security of local distribution systems
in State Energy Security Plans
This section amends existing requirements under the Energy
Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 to require States include
considerations for local distribution lines, supply chain
risks, and extreme weather impacts in the development of State
Energy Security Plans. This section also clarifies that the
Secretary of Energy is not required to approve submitted plans
and requires the Department of Energy to provide technical
assistance to States upon request.
Section 3. GAO report
This section requires the Government Accountability Office
submit a report to Congress on the effectiveness of State
Energy Security Plan provisions in the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act of 1975 and recommendations for improvements
prior to the expiration of authority in 2031.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italics, and existing law in which no
change is proposed is shown in roman):
ENERGY POLICY AND CONSERVATION ACT
* * * * * * *
TITLE III--IMPROVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY
* * * * * * *
Part D--State Energy Conservation Plans
* * * * * * *
SEC. 366. STATE ENERGY SECURITY PLANS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Bulk-power system.--The term ``bulk-power
system'' has the meaning given the term in section
215(a) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824o(a)).
(2) State energy security plan.--The term ``State
energy security plan'' means a State energy security
plan described in subsection (b).
(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.
(b) Financial Assistance for State Energy Security Plans.--
Federal financial assistance made available to a State under
this part may be used for the development, implementation,
review, and revision of a State energy security plan that--
(1) assesses the existing circumstances in the State;
and
(2) proposes methods to strengthen the ability of the
State, in consultation with owners and operators of,
and suppliers of equipment for the generation,
transmission, and distribution of electricity to,
energy infrastructure in the State--
(A) to secure the energy infrastructure of
the State against all physical and
cybersecurity threats;
(B)(i) to mitigate the risk of energy supply
disruptions to the State; and
(ii) to enhance the response to, and recovery
from, energy disruptions; and
(C) to ensure that the State has reliable,
secure, and resilient energy infrastructure.
(c) Contents of Plan.--A State energy security plan shall--
(1) address all energy sources and regulated and
unregulated energy providers;
(2) provide a State energy profile, including an
assessment of energy production, transmission,
distribution, and end-use;
[(3) address potential hazards to each energy sector
or system, including--
[(A) physical threats and vulnerabilities;
and
[(B) cybersecurity threats and
vulnerabilities;]
(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;
(4) provide a risk assessment of energy
infrastructure and cross-sector interdependencies;
[(5) provide a risk mitigation approach to enhance
reliability and end-use resilience; and]
(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
(6)(A) address--
(i) multi-State and regional coordination,
planning, and response; and
(ii) coordination with Indian Tribes with
respect to planning and response; and
(B) to the extent practicable, encourage mutual
assistance in cyber and physical response plans.
(d) Coordination.--In developing or revising a State energy
security plan, the State energy office of the State shall
coordinate, to the extent practicable, with--
(1) the public utility or service commission of the
State;
(2) energy providers from the private and public
sectors; and
(3) other entities responsible for--
(A) maintaining fuel or electric reliability;
[and]
(B) supplying equipment for the generation,
transmission, and distribution of electricity;
and
[(B)] (C) securing energy infrastructure.
(e) Financial Assistance.--[A State is not eligible]
(1) Submission required._A State is not eligible to
receive Federal financial assistance under this part
for any purpose for a fiscal year unless the Governor
of the State submits to the Secretary, with respect to
that fiscal year--
[(1)] (A) a State energy security plan that
meets the requirements of subsection (c); or
[(2)] (B) after an annual review, carried out
by the Governor, of a State energy security
plan--
[(A)] (i) any necessary revisions to
the State energy security plan; or
[(B)] (ii) a certification that no
revisions to the State energy security
plan are necessary.
(2) State determination.--A submission under
paragraph (1) is not required to be approved by the
Secretary.
(f) Technical Assistance.--On request of the Governor of a
State, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of
Homeland Security, [may] shall provide information, technical
assistance, and other assistance in the development,
implementation, or revision of a State energy security plan.
(g) Requirement.--Each State receiving Federal financial
assistance under this part shall provide reasonable assurance
to the Secretary that the State has established policies and
procedures designed to assure that the financial assistance
will be used--
(1) to supplement, and not to supplant, State and
local funds; and
(2) to the maximum extent practicable, to increase
the amount of State and local funds that otherwise
would be available, in the absence of the Federal
financial assistance, for the implementation of a State
energy security plan.
(h) Protection of Information.--Information provided to, or
collected by, the Federal Government pursuant to this section
the disclosure of which the Secretary reasonably foresees could
be detrimental to the physical security or cybersecurity of any
electric utility, local distribution system, or the bulk-power
system--
(1) shall be exempt from disclosure under section
552(b)(3) of title 5, United States Code; and
(2) shall not be made available by any Federal
agency, State, political subdivision of a State, or
Tribal authority pursuant to any Federal, State,
political subdivision of a State, or Tribal law,
respectively, requiring public disclosure of
information or records.
[(i) Sunset.--The requirements of this section shall expire
on October 31, 2025.]
(i) Sunset.--This section shall expire on September 30, 2031.
* * * * * * *
[all]