SECURE Grid Act

Full Title:
SECURE Grid Act

Summary#

This bill, the SECURE Grid Act, changes section 366 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to make State energy security plans cover the physical security, cybersecurity, and resilience of local electric distribution systems. It defines "local distribution system" as energy infrastructure owned and operated by an electric utility at a voltage of 100 kilovolts or less. The bill adds suppliers of equipment for generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity to the list of entities mentioned in plans. State plans must address physical hazards (including weather, physical attacks on local distribution and bulk-power systems, and equipment supply chain risks) and cybersecurity hazards that could affect local distribution and the bulk-power system. Plans must include a risk mitigation approach for reliability and end-use resilience and methods for responding to, mitigating, and recovering from those hazards. The bill changes some submission language so a State submission is required but does not have to be approved by the Secretary. It alters a provision by replacing the word "may" with "shall" in subsection (f). The section added by this bill will expire on September 30, 2031. The bill also directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to report to Congress by September 30, 2030 on how effective State energy security plans have been, use of Federal financial assistance to implement those plans, State activities using that assistance, the efficacy of the amended section 366, and State use of assistance under section 366(f). Information protected from disclosure must be placed in a nonpublic annex of the GAO report.

What it means for you#

  • State energy offices: Must include local distribution system security, cybersecurity, and resilience in their State energy security plans and submit those plans as required by section 366. Submissions are required but do not need Secretary approval.
  • Electric utilities and equipment suppliers: The bill explicitly names local distribution systems (<=100 kilovolts) and suppliers of generation, transmission, and distribution equipment as covered in plan considerations. Utilities and suppliers may be part of planning and risk-mitigation activities described in State plans.
  • Residents and businesses: The bill requires States to plan for and describe responses to weather, physical attacks, supply chain risks, and cybersecurity risks that affect local electricity delivery. The bill text does not specify direct new benefits, services, or funding for individuals.
  • Congress and oversight: The GAO must report by September 30, 2030 on the effectiveness of State plans and related Federal assistance, with sensitive information kept in a nonpublic annex.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on costs or funding levels is included in the bill text provided.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information in the bill text about supporters' arguments or statements.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information in the bill text about opponents' arguments or statements.