Bipartisan bill would help states like Michigan deal with ever-evolving physical and cyber threats
WASHINGTON – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today joined his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives in voting to advance H.R. 3050, the Enhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act of 2017. Upton sponsored the bill.
“Here in Michigan our energy infrastructure must be prepared for a wide variety of hazards including floods, tornadoes, storms, snow, fuel supply disruptions, physical and cyber threats, and other catastrophic events. It’s been 25 years since we’ve properly addressed energy security planning and its past time for a legislative update,” said Upton. “Our common-sense, bipartisan solution will directly help states like Michigan deal with these ever-evolving threats. Our bill creates new tools to keep energy supply, transition, and infrastructure such as our electric grid and pipelines secure in the case of an unforeseen emergency. I look forward to the U.S. Senate taking up our bill and getting it to the president’s desk.”
“The House’s vote today puts Michigan and other states on a path to a more secure energy future,” said Valerie Brader, executive director of the Michigan Agency for Energy. “Rep. Upton’s bill makes it easier for state and federal officials to work as partners in tackling the growing threat that cybersecurity poses without losing sight of other potential supply disruptions.”
H.R. 3050 would enhance the energy emergency planning requirements established in 1990 with the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to strengthen the capability of states to secure the energy infrastructure of the United States against physical and cybersecurity threats and mitigate the risk of energy supply disruptions. Specifically, it would provide federal financial assistance to states, like Michigan, to implement, review, and revise State-level energy security plans.
It was passed out the House Energy and Commerce Committee in June on a unanimous vote.
Please click here to watch Upton deliver remarks in support of H.R. 3050 on the House Floor.
Lynn Turner/Tom Wilbur (202-225-3761/269-385-0039)
