Measures to bolster cybersecurity in energy sector approved by HouseNuclear NewsResearch & ApplicationsOctober 2, 2020, 7:15AM|Nuclear News StaffThe House of Representatives on September 29 unanimously passed three bills aimed at strengthening the cybersecurity of the U.S. electric grid and other energy infrastructure. The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration.Bipartisan bills: The Enhancing Grid Security through Public-Private Partnerships Act (H.R. 359), introduced by Rep. Jerry McNerney (D., Calif.) and cosponsored by Rep. Bob Latta (R., Ohio), would direct the Department of Energy to facilitate and encourage public-private partnerships to address security risks of electric utilities.The Cyber Sense Act of 2020 (H.R. 360), introduced by Latta and cosponsored by McNerney, would require the DOE to test the cybersecurity of products and technologies intended for use in the bulk power system.The Energy Emergency Leadership Act (H.R. 362), introduced by Rep. Bobby Rush (D., Ill.) and cosponsored by Rep. Tim Walberg (R., Mich.), would create a new DOE assistant secretary position with jurisdiction over all energy emergency and energy security functions related to energy supply, infrastructure, and cybersecurity.What they’re saying: Rush and Frank Pallone Jr. (D., N.J.), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released a joint statement: “Right now, our aging electric grid is uniquely vulnerable to cyberattack, putting our communities at risk of being disconnected by bad actors or foreign governments seeking to sow chaos. Together, this legislation works to dramatically improve our cybersecurity and our readiness to combat potential attacks. These important bills will foster a much more reliable, safe, and cybersecure energy sector, and we’re proud that they passed today with such bipartisan support.”In a separate statement, the Energy and Commerce Committee’s ranking member, Rep. Greg Walden (R., Ore.), and Rep. Fred Upton (R., Mich.), said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of stopping supply chain threats, including ensuring the security of our electric grid. From electricity to Wi-Fi, a secure, reliable grid is vital to all Americans. We thank our House colleagues for supporting three bipartisan bills that will bolster our energy security and keep our grid safe from cyberattacks, and we urge our Senate colleagues to take swift action to keep our electric grid safe and running.”Tags:bulk power systemcybersecurityenergy and commerce committeeShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
Ex-Im Bank, Poland sign MOU on U.S. energy investmentPolish Minister of Climate and Environment Michał Kurtyka (left) and Ex-Im Chairman Kimberly Reed sign an MOU on U.S. energy investment in Poland on December 11. Photo: EXIMIn another sign of U.S. interest in helping Poland develop a civil nuclear power program, the Export-Import Bank of the United States announced last week that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Polish government to promote U.S. energy investment in the Central European nation. (For an earlier agreement, see here.)The MOU was signed in Warsaw on December 11 by Ex-Im president and chairman, Kimberly A. Reed, and Poland’s minister of climate and environment, Michał Kurtyka, during Reed’s three-day visit to Poland.The Ex-Im: As the official export credit agency of the United States, Ex-Im provides loans, loan guarantees, and insurance to foreign customers purchasing U.S. exports.The MOU particulars: The MOU calls for Ex-Im and Poland to “explore and identify potential opportunities for Ex-Im financing and to work together to promote business development opportunities related to strategic energy projects and programs,” according to Ex-Im’s announcement. The agreement includes, but is not limited to, support for projects in nuclear energy, in particular in support of strategic projects under Poland’s nuclear power program, low- and zero-emission technologies, clean energy innovation, and critical energy infrastructure, including cybersecurity solutions.Go to Article
NNSA reportedly hacked as part of “extensive espionage operation”In an exclusive story published yesterday, the news website Politico reports that networks of the National Nuclear Security Administration and other federal entities have been hacked “as part of an extensive espionage operation.” Citing officials familiar with the matter, the story says that network breaches have been identified at the NNSA’s Office of Secure Transportation (which is responsible for the transport of government-owned special nuclear materials), Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, the Department of Energy’s Richland Field Office, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. According to the story, the hackers are believed to have gained access to the networks “by compromising the software company SolarWinds, which sells IT management products to hundreds of government and private-sector clients.” Go to Article
Complaint filed with FERC to save Diablo Canyon from early closureA nuclear advocacy group is asking the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to review the approval by California regulators of the decision by Pacific Gas and Electric in 2016 to prematurely retire its Diablo Canyon plant—the Golden State’s only remaining operating nuclear power facility—in 2025.On October 26, the nonprofit organization Californians for Green Nuclear Power Inc. (CGNP) filed a 32-page complaint with FERC in the matter, listing as respondents the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC), California Independent System Operator (CAISO), California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California State Water Resources Control Board (CSWRCB), and California State Lands Commission (CSLC).Go to Article
Report: Utilities need greater access to grid threat informationThe National Commission on Grid Resilience (NCGR) has released a report recommending a series of actions to better address threats to the bulk power system in the United States. While noting that “substantial progress has been made in a short time” toward improving grid resilience, the report declares that “more needs to be done, and in record time.”Go to Article
Fuel supply and reactor licensing bills debut in HouseRepublicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee on July 29 continued their push for nuclear with the introduction of the Nuclear Prosperity and Security Act (H.R. 7814) and the Modernize Nuclear Reactor Environmental Reviews Act (H.R. 7817). Last month, GOP members of the committee introduced the Strengthening American Nuclear Competitiveness Act and the Nuclear Licensing Efficiency Act.Go to Article
Looking Back: A Brief History of CONTEThe accident that occurred at Three Mile Island on March 28, 1979, brought about many changes to the nuclear industry. Among the changes was the industry stopping to reflect on current procedures and the training of its employees. Exhorted by the findings of the Kemeny Commission and sponsored by the Department of Energy, industry leaders and training personnel began meeting on improvements to training at the Gatlinburg Conference in the early 1980's.Go to Article