WASHINGTON, DC - House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) today issued the following statement in response to an order issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to bolster the security of the U.S. electric grid. The order directs the North American Electric Reliability Corporation to write physical security standards for the most critical utility facilities, and comes after snipers attacked an electricity substation in California last year.
“We are encouraged that FERC is taking proactive steps to develop enforceable standards to protect the grid from physical attacks. Ensuring the security and reliability of the electric grid remains a priority for this committee, and we will continue our oversight of all emerging threats, including cyber attacks, acts of terrorism, electromagnetic pulses, and strict government mandates and regulations that threaten reliability," said Upton.
